JP2001157747A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine which allows a game control means to spend more time on its original game control by reducing its controlling load. SOLUTION: Display control commands including at least a variation time command and a stopping pattern command are sent from a game control substrate to a display control substrate. Then the display control substrate decides whether or not an advance notice of a winning chance should be made (751a to 751g) and whether or not an advance notice of a jackpot should be made in response to the received display control commands.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a game machine represented by, for example, a pachinko game machine, a coin game machine or a slot machine. More specifically, the present invention relates to a gaming machine including a variable display device capable of updating and displaying a plurality of types of identification information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In this type of gaming machine, a game machine including a variable display device capable of updating and displaying (variable display) a plurality of types of identification information such as symbols, for example, is generally known. There was a machine. In such a gaming machine, for example, a display result is derived and displayed after the variable display device starts variably, and a condition that the display result becomes a predetermined specific display mode (for example, 777) is provided to the player. It was configured to be controlled to an advantageous state (for example, a big hit state).

In such a gaming machine, a game control means comprising a game control microcomputer for controlling a gaming state of the gaming machine is changed to a display comprising a display control microcomputer for controlling a display state of a variable display device. A display control command for instructing the control means on display control contents of the variable display device is provided. The variable display control means controls the display state of the variable display device according to the received display control command. And in this type of gaming machine, in order to entertain the player, the variable display mode is diversified, for example, by performing a certain kind of notice display on the variable display device.

[0004]

However, in this conventional gaming machine, management of display control such as determination of display contents in variable display is left to the game control means. For this reason, the more diversified the variable display mode in the variable display device, the more it is necessary to instruct the display contents more finely.
The control load on the effect display control of the game control means increases, and there is a problem that the processing time that the game control means can spend for other game controls is greatly limited. If the control load of the game control means increases in this way, there is a possibility that control of the game state may be adversely affected.

The present invention has been conceived in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the control load on the game control means and increase the time that the game control means can use for the original game control. To provide a gaming machine.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a game machine including a variable display device capable of updating and displaying a plurality of types of identification information, wherein the game control means controls a progress of the game. And display control means for performing display control of the variable display device, wherein the game control means includes at least a command capable of specifying a change time of the identification information and a command capable of specifying a determination mode of the identification information. A display control command for performing display control of the variable display device can be sent to the display control means, and the display control means responds to a predetermined command among the received display control commands, A notice execution determining means for deciding whether or not to give a notice indicating that the display state of the variable display device is in a predetermined display mode is provided.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a variable display device capable of updating and displaying a plurality of types of identification information, and a display result of the variable display device has a predetermined specific display mode. A game machine which can be controlled to a state advantageous to a player on condition that the game control includes a game control means for controlling a progress of a game, and a display control means for performing display control of the variable display device. The means includes at least a display control command for performing a display control of the variable display device including a command capable of specifying a variation time of the identification information and a command capable of specifying a determination mode of the identification information, to the display control means. Can be transmitted, and the display control means changes the display state of the variable display device to a predetermined display mode according to a predetermined command among the received display control commands. Characterized in that it comprises a announcement execution determining means for determining whether to perform the predictive display to notice that.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, the notice display includes:
It is performed by an image character on the display screen.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the present invention, the notice display is performed by a background image which is a portion excluding the identification information. It is characterized by.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of any one of the first to fourth aspects, the notice execution determining means determines the notice display when determining the notice display. It is characterized in that a notice mode to be displayed is selected from a plurality of kinds of notice modes in which the likelihood of the predetermined display mode later differs from each other.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the predetermined mode includes a reach display mode.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, the predetermined display mode includes a predetermined hit display mode. Features.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to any one of the first to seventh aspects, the display control means determines the identification information in a mode in which the identification information is not updated. It is characterized in that display control for displaying in a mode different from the time can be performed.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, the game control means is provided between the game control means and the display control means. The information can be transmitted to the display control means only in one direction.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the game control means includes a one-way control from the game control means to the display control means. Irreversible output means for transmitting information only to the

According to the present invention described in claim 11, in addition to the configuration according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the display control means is provided in one direction from the game control means to the display control means. It is characterized by including irreversible input means for transmitting information only.

[0017]

According to the present invention, the operation is as follows. The progress of the game is controlled by the operation of the game control means. The display control of the variable display device is performed by the function of the display control means. By the further operation of the game control means, a display control command for performing display control of the variable display device including at least a command capable of specifying a change time of the identification information and a command capable of specifying a determination mode of the identification information is displayed. Can be sent to By the function of the notice execution determining means included in the display control means, a notice display for giving notice that the display state of the variable display device becomes a predetermined display mode in accordance with a predetermined command among the received display control commands. Is determined.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the operation is as follows. Control can be performed in a state that is advantageous to the player on the condition that the display result of the variable display device capable of updating and displaying a plurality of types of identification information has a predetermined specific display mode. The progress of the game is controlled by the operation of the game control means. The display control of the variable display device is performed by the function of the display control means. By the further operation of the game control means, a display control command for performing display control of the variable display device including at least a command capable of specifying a change time of the identification information and a command capable of specifying a determination mode of the identification information is displayed. Can be sent to By the function of the notice execution determining means included in the display control means, a notice display for giving notice that the display state of the variable display device becomes a predetermined display mode in accordance with a predetermined command among the received display control commands. Is determined.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the first or second aspect, the following operation is performed. The advance notice is displayed by the image character on the display screen.

According to the present invention described in claim 4, in addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3, it operates as follows. The notice display is performed by a background image which is a part excluding the identification information.

According to the present invention described in claim 5, in addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 4, it operates as follows. When the notice display is determined by the further function of the notice execution determining means, a notice form to be displayed is selected from a plurality of kinds of notice forms which are different from each other in the likelihood of a predetermined display form after the notice display. .

According to the present invention described in claim 6, in addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 5, the following operation is performed. The predetermined display mode includes a reach display mode.

According to the present invention described in claim 7, in addition to the effect of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 6, it operates as follows. The predetermined display mode includes a predetermined hit display mode.

According to the present invention described in claim 8, in addition to the operation of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 7, the following operation of the display control means further operates as follows.
It is possible to perform display control for displaying the identification information in a mode different from that at the time of finalization by a mode in which the identification information is not updated.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the invention of any one of the first to eighth aspects, the following operation is performed. Between the game control means and the display control means, information can be transmitted in only one direction from the game control means to the display control means.

According to the tenth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the invention according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the following operation is performed. Due to the function of the irreversible output means included in the game control means, information is transmitted only in one direction from the game control means to the display control means.

According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, in addition to the operation of the invention of any one of the first to tenth aspects,
It works as follows. Due to the function of the irreversible input means included in the display control means, information is transmitted in only one direction from the game control means to the display control means.

[0028]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the present embodiment,
A pachinko gaming machine will be described as an example of a gaming machine, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a coin gaming machine or a slot machine may be used, and a plurality of types of identification information can be updated and displayed. Any gaming machine including a display device is eligible.

First Embodiment First, the overall configuration of a pachinko gaming machine which is an example of a player will be described. 1 is a front view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as viewed from the front, FIG. 2 is an overall rear view showing the internal structure of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and FIG. 3 is a back view of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as viewed from the back. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the pachinko gaming machine 1 comprises:
It has a glass door frame 2 formed in a frame shape. On the lower surface of the glass door frame 2, there is a hit ball supply tray 3. A surplus ball tray 4 for storing prize balls overflowing from the hit ball supply tray 3 and a hit ball operation handle (operation knob) 5 for firing a hit ball are provided below the hit ball supply tray 3. A game board 6 is detachably mounted behind the glass door frame 2. A game area 7 is provided on the front of the game board 6.

In the vicinity of the center of the game area 7, a variable display section 9 composed of a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) for variably displaying (updating) symbols (special symbols) as a plurality of types of identification information, 7-segment LED (Light Emitti) for variably displaying ordinary symbols as identification information
and a variable display device 8 including a variable display device 10 made of ng Diode. In this embodiment, the variable display section 9 is provided with an image display area including three symbol display areas of “left”, “middle”, and “right”, and includes a left symbol, a middle symbol, and a right symbol. Various kinds of information including the three special symbols are image-displayed in the display area. On the side of the variable display device 8, a passing gate 11 for guiding a hit ball is provided. The ball that has passed through the passage gate 11 is guided to the starting winning opening 14 via the ball outlet 13. In a passage between the passage gate 11 and the ball outlet 13, there is a gate switch 12 for detecting a hit ball passing through the passage gate 11. The winning ball that has entered the starting winning port 14 is guided to the back of the game board 6 and detected by the winning port switch 17. In addition, a variable winning ball device 15 that performs an opening / closing operation is provided below the starting winning port 14. The variable winning ball device 15 is opened by the solenoid 16.

In the lower part of the variable winning ball device 15, a specific game state (big hit state) as an advantageous state for the player is provided.
, An opening / closing plate 20 opened by a solenoid 21 is provided. In this embodiment, the open / close plate 2
0 is a means for opening and closing the special winning opening. The large winning opening is divided into a specific winning area (V zone) and a normal winning area, and among the winning balls guided from the opening / closing plate 20 to the back of the game board 6, the winning balls entering the specific winning area are counted as V. Detected by switch 22. A winning ball from the opening / closing plate 20 is detected by the count switch 23. At the lower part of the variable display device 8, there is provided a start winning prize storage display 18 having four display sections for displaying the stored number of start winning prize balls which are prize balls entering the start winning prize port 14. In this example, starting winning prize balls are stored with an upper limit of four, and every time there is a starting prize, the display unit on which the starting prize storage indicator 18 is turned on is set to one.
Increase one by one. Then, each time the variable display of the variable display section 9 is started, the number of the lit display sections is reduced by one.

The game board 6 is provided with a plurality of winning ports 19 and 24. Decorative lamps 25 are provided around the left and right sides of the game area 7 so as to blink during the game.
There is an out port 26 for collecting hit balls that have not been won. In addition, two speakers 27 that emit sound effects are provided at upper left and right sides outside the game area 7. A game effect LED 28a and a game effect lamp 2
8b and 28c are provided. And in this example,
A prize ball lamp 51 that lights up when a premium ball is paid out is provided near one of the speakers 27, and a ball out lamp 52 that lights up when a supply ball runs out is provided near the other speaker 27. Further, FIG. 1 shows a pachinko gaming table 1
Also, a card unit 50 that is installed adjacent to and enables lending of balls by inserting a prepaid card as a recording medium is shown. The card unit 50 is provided with a card insertion / ejection port 155 for inserting and ejecting a prepaid card.

A hit ball fired from the hitting ball launching device enters the game area 7 through the hitting ball rail, and thereafter, the game area 7
Come down. When the hit ball is detected by the gate switch 12 through the passage gate 11, the display number of the variable display 10 is changed continuously. Further, when a hit ball enters the starting winning opening 14 and is detected by the starting opening switch 17, the symbol (special symbol) displayed on the variable display section 9 is changed by scrolling if the symbol can be changed. (Variable display). If it is not possible to start changing the symbol, the start winning memory is increased by one. The start winning memory will be described later in detail. The fluctuation of the symbols in the variable display section 9 stops when a certain time has elapsed. If the combination of the symbols at the time of stop is a combination of the big hit symbols, the game shifts to the big hit game state (specific game state). That is, in the big hit gaming state, the opening and closing plate 20 is
Alternatively, the ball is released until a predetermined number (for example, 10) of hit balls is won. Then, when a hit ball wins in the specific winning area and is detected by the V count switch 22 while the opening and closing plate 20 is being opened, a continuation right is generated and the opening and closing plate 20 is opened again. The generation of the continuation right is permitted a predetermined number of times (15 rounds).

If the combination of symbols in the variable display section 9 at the time of stoppage is a combination of a big hit symbol with a probability variation (probably variable big hit symbol), control is performed so that the probability of the next big hit is increased. That is, a special game state, which is a probability fluctuation state (also referred to as a high probability state), which is advantageous for a player different from the specific game state, is obtained. Such a probability variation may be generally abbreviated as “probable variation”.

When the stop symbol on the variable display 10 is a predetermined symbol (hit symbol), the variable winning ball device 15 is opened for a predetermined time. Further, in the probability fluctuation state, the probability that the stopped symbol on the variable display 10 hits the symbol is increased, and the opening time and the number of times the variable winning ball device 15 is opened are increased.

Next, the outline of the gaming operation of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be briefly described. First, if a player inserts a prepaid card into the card insertion / ejection port 155 provided in the card unit 50 and performs a ball lending operation, the card balance recorded on the prepaid card is reduced by a predetermined amount, and the amount is reduced. As many pachinko balls are paid out into the hitting ball supply tray 3. In this state, when the player rotates the hitting operation handle (operation knob) 5, the pachinko balls in the hitting ball supply tray 3 are hit one by one into the game area 7. When the pachinko ball hit into the game area 7 passes through the passage gate 11 and is detected by the gate switch 12, the variable display 10 performs a variable display operation, and the display result is a predetermined specific identification information. In the case of (for example, 7), the variable winning ball device 15 constituting the starting winning port 14 is opened for a predetermined period of time to enter a first state advantageous to the player.

On the other hand, when a pachinko ball wins in the start winning port 14, the variable display section 9 of the variable display device 8 performs a variable display operation and the display result is determined in a predetermined display mode (for example, 777 or the like). When a big hit symbol composed of a combination of specific identification information is reached, a specific game state (big hit state) occurs, and the opening / closing plate 20 of the variable winning ball device 19 is opened to provide a first advantageous state for the player. State. The first state ends when a predetermined period (for example, 30 seconds) elapses or a predetermined number of hit balls (for example, 10) wins, whichever is earlier, is satisfied and is disadvantageous for the player. It is in the second state. If a hit ball that has entered the variable winning ball apparatus 19 in the first state wins in the specific winning area (V zone) and is detected by the V count switch 22, the first state of the time ends. , The opening / closing plate 20 is opened again to enter the first state. The repetition continuation control in the state of 1 can be executed up to 15 times.

In the pachinko gaming machine 1, as described above,
The special symbol is variably displayed (variable display) on the variable display unit 9 of the variable display device 8, and then the display result of the special symbol is derived on the variable display unit 9. During such a variable display operation, a reach display mode (reach state, reach operation in the reach state) may occur.

Here, the reach display mode refers to a specific display mode (hit display) even when the display control progresses after the variable display device is variably started and reaches a stage before the display result is derived and displayed. The display condition does not deviate from the display condition of (mode), and at the stage where the display result of the variable display device is not yet derived and displayed, it is possible to make the player think that the variable display device has become the variable display mode in which the hit display mode is easily displayed Means the display state. For example, the reach display mode includes a variable display device having a plurality of variable display units whose display states can be changed (updated display), and a display result of the variable display device is a predetermined display mode ( A win display mode) (or a specific display mode), a part of the plurality of variable display portions in a gaming machine in which the gaming state is in a specific gaming state advantageous to the player. Is not yet derived and displayed, and the condition that the display mode of the variable display unit that is already derived and displayed (including the temporary stop in the display state in which the swing operation is not updated) is the specific display mode Is also referred to. Further, the reach display mode is a display state at the time when the display control of the variable display device progresses to a stage before the display result is derived and displayed, and before the display result is derived and displayed. A display mode when at least a part of the display results of the plurality of variable display units that are derived and displayed satisfy the condition for the specific display mode (for example, left,
The right symbol is temporarily stopped and the middle symbol fluctuates slowly, the left symbol is stopped and the middle symbol and the right symbol fluctuate at low speed, etc.). The state in which the variable display is performed by the plurality of variable display units while maintaining the displayed state is also included in the reach display mode. Further, in some reach display modes, when they appear, big hits are more likely to occur than in the normal reach display mode. Such a specific reach display mode is called super reach, and a normal reach display mode is called reach or normal reach.

The hit display mode as the above-mentioned specific display mode is a display mode determined as a hit in a game. In addition to the above-described big hit display mode, the following middle hit display mode is used. And a display mode including a small hit display mode. Here, in addition to the control of the big hit,
In the gaming machine in which the control of the small hit is performed, for example, when the display mode of the predetermined big hit is a display result, the large winning opening of the variable winning ball device for up to 16 rounds is opened, and the predetermined winning mode is opened. When the display mode of the medium hit (the display mode different from the display mode of the big hit and the small hit) is a display result, the big win port of the variable winning prize ball device is opened up to one round at a maximum, and the predetermined small hit is set. Display mode (display mode different from big hit and middle hit display modes)
, The large winning opening of the variable winning ball apparatus is opened for 10 seconds, and the degree of advantage for the player increases in the order of small hit, medium hit, and big hit.

As described above, when the hit display mode including the big hit, the middle hit, and the small hit is displayed as a display result of the variable display device (or on condition that it is displayed).
The contents of the game control to be performed are not limited to the opening of the variable winning ball device (large winning opening) as described above. For example, when the hit display mode is displayed as a display result of the variable display device (or on condition that it is displayed), an advantageous state for the player includes opening of the variable winning ball device other than the special winning opening. (Enlargement), or in addition to or separate from the opening of the variable prize ball device,
The number of activated start winnings may be increased (increased in a state other than winning) or the number of winning balls may be increased (increased in a state other than winning). Further, the present invention is not limited to a state that is advantageous for the player. For example, game control may be performed such that issuance of a card (recording medium) that certifies that a hit has been made is performed alone or in combination.

The relationship between the hit display mode described above and the game control to be performed correspondingly includes the following. First, on the condition that the hit display mode has been set, a game control corresponding to the hit display mode (a game state in which a specific game state occurs) is included as a relationship between the hit display mode and the game control. For example, when the winning display mode is set, the special winning opening (variable winning ball device) is first opened, and then, when the ball entering the special winning opening wins the specific winning area, the big winning state is set. (Specific game state) is included. Also,
When the hit display mode is set, the game control corresponding to the hit display mode (the one in which the specific game state occurs) is included as a relationship between the hit display mode and the game control. As an example, for example, when a win display mode is set, a big hit state (specific game state) is directly controlled, and a prize to another starting port which is not involved in starting the variable display of the variable display device. In response to this, a special winning opening (variable winning ball device) is opened, and a ball that enters the special winning opening enters a specific winning area and is controlled to a big hit state (specific gaming state).

In this embodiment, a gaming machine that can be controlled to a gaming state according to a big hit when the big hit display mode is set is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The present invention is applicable to gaming machines having various types of hit display modes such as a big hit display mode. In the case of the hit display mode, a gaming machine or a hit display mode in which a game control corresponding to a hit is performed. The present invention can be applied to gaming machines having various control types, such as gaming machines in which game control is performed according to hits on condition.

Next, the structure of the back surface of the pachinko gaming machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. On the back side of the game board 6 of the pachinko gaming machine 1, a mechanism plate 36 is provided. A ball tank 38 is provided above the mechanism plate 36, and the pachinko balls are supplied to the ball tank 38 from above with the pachinko gaming machine 1 installed on the gaming machine installation island. The pachinko balls in the ball tank 38 are supplied to the ball payout device through the guiding gutter 39.

On the mechanism board 36, a variable display control unit 29 for controlling the variable display section 9 via the relay board 30, and a game control board (main board) covered with a board case 32 and mounted with a game control microcomputer and the like. ) 31, a relay board 33 for relaying a signal between the variable display control unit 29 and the game control board 31, and a prize ball board 37 on which a payout control microcomputer for controlling payout of pachinko balls is mounted. is set up. Further, the mechanism plate 36
A ball launching device 34 that launches a ball into the game area 7 using the rotating force of a motor, and a lamp control board 35 for sending a signal to the speaker 27 and the game effect lamps / LEDs 28a, 28b, 28c are installed. Have been.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the gaming board 6 of the pachinko gaming machine 1 as viewed from the rear. As shown in FIG. 3, on the back surface of the game board 6, a winning ball set cover 40 for guiding a winning ball winning each winning port and a winning ball device along a predetermined winning path.
Is provided. The winning balls guided by the winning ball collecting cover 40 are supplied to a winning ball processing device (not shown) that processes one winning ball. The winning ball processing device is provided with a winning ball detection switch 99 (see FIG. 4), and a detection signal of the winning ball detection switch 99 is sent to the game control board 31. In the game control board 31, based on the detection signal, the detection signal of the starting port switch 17, the detection signal of the V count switch 22, and the detection signal of the count switch 23, a prize ball signal for paying out a predetermined number of prize balls is provided. It is output to the prize ball substrate 37. The prize ball board 37 controls a ball payout device (not shown) based on the outputted prize ball signal to control a predetermined number of prize balls.

Specifically, for example, fifteen prize balls are paid out per winning prize ball through the opening / closing plate 20, and one prize ball winning in the starting winning prize opening 14 is one prize ball. For example, six prize balls are paid out per ball, and the other prize balls won through the prize port 24 and the prize ball device are controlled so that, for example, ten prize balls are paid out per one prize ball.

In order to control the payout of the three types of prize balls, the game control board 31 performs a control operation as follows. If the detection signal from the winning ball detection switch 99 is input, it is determined whether or not there is a detection signal from the starting port switch 17 before the input, and if so, the game control board 31 sends a " A prize ball number signal for instructing the payout number of "6" is output. On the other hand, if there is a detection signal from the winning ball detection switch 99 and if there is a detection signal from the V count switch 22 or the count switch 23 before that, the game control board 31 will display a prize ball of “15”. The prize ball count signal is sent to the prize ball substrate 3
7 is output. Further, if there is a detection signal from the winning ball detection switch 99 and if no detection signal has been input from any of the starting port switch 17, V switch 22, or count switch 23 before that,
The game control board 31 outputs a prize ball number signal to the prize ball board 37 to instruct a payout number of “10”.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration of the game control board 31. FIG. 4 shows a prize ball board 37, a lamp control board 35, an audio control board 70,
A launch control board 91 and a display control board 80 are also shown. The game control board 31 includes a basic circuit 35 for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 in accordance with a program, a gate switch 12, a starting port switch 17, a V count switch 22,
A switch circuit 58 for providing signals from the count switch 23 and the winning ball detection switch 99 to the basic circuit 53;
A solenoid circuit 59 that drives a solenoid 16 that opens and closes the variable winning ball device 15 and a solenoid 21 that opens and closes the opening and closing plate 20 according to a command from the basic circuit 53, and turns on and off the start storage indicator 18 and a 7-segment LED. , And a lamp / LED circuit 60 for driving the decorative lamp 25.

Also, according to the data supplied from the basic circuit 53, jackpot information indicating occurrence of a jackpot, effective start information indicating the number of start winning prize balls used for starting image display of the variable display section 9, and probability fluctuation have occurred. And an information output circuit 64 that outputs probability change information or the like indicating the fact to a host computer such as a hall management computer.

The basic circuit 53 has a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing a game control (game control) program and the like.
ry) 54, RAM (Rand) used as a work memory
om Access Memory) 55, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that performs a control operation according to a control program
56 and an I / O (Input / Output) port 57.
The ROM 54 and the RAM 55 may be built in the CPU 56 in some cases. The basic circuit 53 periodically (for example, every 2 msec) repeatedly executes the game control program stored in the ROM 54 from the beginning according to the timer interrupt. Such a timer interrupt is provided in the basic circuit 53.

Further, the game control board 31 has one of an initial reset circuit 65 for resetting the basic circuit 53 when the power is turned on, and an I / O port 57 by decoding an address signal given from the basic circuit 53. I /
An address decode circuit 67 for outputting a signal for selecting the O port is provided.

It should be noted that the game control board 3
Although some switch information is input to 1, the switch information is omitted in FIG.

A hitting ball firing device for hitting and firing (hitting and firing) a ball is driven by a drive motor 94 controlled by a circuit on a firing control board 91. And the drive motor 9
4 is adjusted according to the operation amount of the operation knob 5. That is, the circuit on the firing control board 91 is controlled so that the hit ball is fired at a speed corresponding to the operation amount of the operation knob 5.

A display control command is transmitted from the basic circuit 53 of the game control board 31 to the display control board 80 as command information for commanding display control of the variable display device 8 (particularly the variable display section 9). The display control board 80 performs display control according to the received display control command.
In addition, a voice control command as command information for commanding voice control is transmitted from the basic circuit 53 in the game control board 31 to the voice control board 70. The voice control board 70 performs voice control according to the received voice control command. Also, the basic circuit 53 in the game control board 31
Thus, a lamp control command is transmitted to the lamp control board 35 as command information for commanding control of various lamps / LEDs. The lamp control board 35 controls various lamps / LEDs according to the received lamp control command.

FIG. 5 shows a circuit configuration in the display control board 80. The CRT 82 is an example of the variable display section 9 and the output buffer circuit (output driver) 6 of the game control board 31.
3 is a block diagram shown together with FIG. Display control CPU1
Reference numeral 01 includes an operation unit (not shown) for performing an operation process, a control unit (not shown) for performing a control process, and a storage unit (not shown) for storing information. It operates according to the programmed program. The display control CPU 101 is a game control board 3
From 1 through an input buffer circuit 105a in the input buffer circuit 105, an INT signal as a display control signal for interrupting and a display control command as a command for instructing display control contents are received. Display control C
When the INT signal is input, the PU 101 enters an interrupt operation state and captures a display control command. The output buffer 63 of the game control board 31 is a circuit for inputting a signal from an output port of the basic circuit 53 and outputting the signal from the game control board 31 to the outside, but in one direction (from the game control board 31 to the display control board 80). Direction).

Then, the display control CPU 101 controls display of an image displayed on the CRT 82 in accordance with the received display control command. Specifically, a command corresponding to the display control command is sent to a VDP (Video Display Processor).
) 103. VDP103 is a character RO
Read necessary data from M86. And VDP10
3 generates image data to be displayed on the CRT 82 in accordance with the read data, and stores the image data in a VRAM.
(Video Random Access Memory) 87. The image data in the VRAM 87 is R (red), G
(Green) and B (blue) signals (RGB signals).
The digital signal is converted into an analog signal by the A conversion circuit 104 and output to the CRT 82.

FIG. 5 also shows a reset circuit 83 for resetting the VDP 103, an oscillation circuit 85 for supplying an operation clock to the VDP 103, and a character ROM 86 for storing frequently used image data. . The frequently used image data stored in the character ROM 86 is, for example, a person, an animal, or an image composed of characters, figures, or symbols displayed on the CRT 82.

The input buffer 105a in the input buffer circuit 105 can pass (transmit) a signal only in the direction from the game control board 31 to the display control board 80. Therefore, there is no room for a signal to be transmitted from the display control board 80 to the game control board 31 by the input buffer 105a. The output buffer 63 provided on the game control board 31 can pass (transmit) a signal only in the direction from the game control board 31 to the display control board 80, as described above. Therefore, there is no room for a signal to be transmitted from the outside such as the display control board 80 side to the game control board 31 side by the output buffer 63. Therefore, even if a circuit in the display control board 80 is tampered with, the output buffer 63 does not transmit a signal output by the tampering to the game control board 31 side. Thus, the output buffer 63 and the input buffer 105
a, the game control board 31 and the display control board 80
The information is transmitted between the game control board 31 (especially the basic circuit 53) and the display control board 80 (especially the display control CPU).
101), the illegal control operation of the basic circuit 53 in the game control board 31 by the input of incorrect data from the display control board 80 to the game control board 31 is minimized. Can be prevented. The output side of the game control board 31 and the display control board 80
By providing a buffer on each of the input sides, the one-way signal transmission (transmission) communication can be further ensured.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of the structure of the voice control command signal transmission portion of the game control board 31 and the voice control board 70. As shown in FIG. In this embodiment, a voice control command for instructing a voice output of the speaker 27 provided outside the game area 7 according to the progress of the game is output from the game control board 31 to the voice control board 70.

As shown in FIG. 6, the voice control command is
It is output from an output port (output port E) 575 of the I / O port unit 57 in the basic circuit 53. In the sound control board 70, each signal from the game control board 31 is input to the sound control CPU 701 via the input buffer circuit 705. If the audio control CPU 701 does not include an I / O port, the input buffer circuit 705
An I / O port is provided between the CPU and the voice control CPU 701. Then, for example, the voice synthesis circuit 702 by the digital signal processor
A sound or a sound effect corresponding to the instruction of 701 is generated and output to the volume switching circuit 703. The volume switching circuit 703 sets the output level of the voice control CPU 701 to a level corresponding to the set volume and outputs the output level to the volume amplification circuit 704.
The volume amplification circuit 704 transmits the amplified audio signal to the speaker 2
7 is output.

As the input buffer circuit 705, a general-purpose C
MOS-IC (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconduc)
74HC244 which is a tor-integrated circuit) is used. A low level (GND (GROUND) level) is always applied to the enable terminal of the 74HC244.
Therefore, the output level of each buffer is determined as the input level, that is, the signal level from the game control board 31. Therefore, the game control board 31 from the voice control board 70 side.
There is no room for the signal to pass. Therefore, even if the circuit in the voice control board 70 is tampered with, the signal output by the tampering is not transmitted to the game control board 31 side.

On the game control board 31, an output buffer circuit 71 is provided outside the output port 575. As the output buffer circuit 71, for example, a 74HC244, which is a general-purpose CMOS-IC, is used. 7
4HC244 always has a low level (G
ND level). According to such a configuration, a signal line to which a signal may be externally supplied to the game control board 31 can be more reliably eliminated.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing various random counters used for generating a random numerical value (random number) used for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1. In FIG. 7, R1, R2-
Random counters for generating random numbers of 1, R2-2, R2-3, R3, R4, and R5 are shown.

R1 is a random counter used to determine (determine) whether or not a big hit state is to be generated (or a random number for big hit determination itself may be indicated).
And for each timer interrupt described below (specifically 0.002
Every second), the value is incremented and updated by one, the value is incremented and updated from 0, the value is incremented and updated to the upper limit of 249, and then the value is updated from 0 again.

R2-1, R2-2, and R2-3 are used to determine in advance the left, middle, and right out-of-position symbols stopped and displayed by the variable display section 9 in the case of an out-of-position (when no big hit occurs). It is a random counter used (or may indicate a random number for determining a lost symbol itself).

R2-1 is used for determining the left symbol, and is added from 0 and becomes 0 again when it is added to its upper limit of 11.
Is added. Note that R2-1 is incremented by 1 every time a timer interrupts (every 0.002 seconds) and every time the remaining time for interrupt processing occurs. Here, the remaining time of the interrupt processing is the remaining time until the next timer interrupt occurs after the interrupt routine of FIG. 9 described later is executed as a whole, and this remaining time is used. The addition process is executed in an infinite loop according to step S4 in FIG.

R2-2 is used for determining a medium symbol, and is added from 0 and becomes 0 again when added to its upper limit of 11.
Is added. Note that R2-2 is incremented by one for each carry of R2-1.

R2-3 is for determining the right symbol, is added from 0, added to its upper limit of 11, and then reset to 0 again.
Is added. Note that R2-3 is incremented by one for each carry of R2-2.

R3 is a random counter (or a random number for determining a jackpot symbol itself) used to determine a stop symbol (the left, middle and right symbols are the same stop symbol) when the jackpot is determined in advance. Is incremented and updated by one every timer interrupt (specifically, every 0.002 seconds), added and updated from 0, added and updated to its upper limit of 11, and then added and updated again from 0.

R4 is a random counter (or sometimes indicates the reach determination random number itself) used to determine whether or not to display the reach state in the fluctuation display at the time of predetermination of the outlier. Every (0.0
Every 02 seconds) and one for each remaining time of the interrupt processing, the addition is updated from 0, the addition is updated to 1530 which is the upper limit thereof, and the addition is updated again from 0.

R5 is a random counter (or, in some cases, a random number for reach type determination itself) used to determine the type of reach (reach display mode) in the reach state. .002 seconds) and one for each remaining time of the interrupt processing, the addition is updated from 0, the addition is updated to its upper limit of 18, and the addition is updated again from 0. In the case of this embodiment, three types of reach (reach 1 to reach 3) having different fluctuation times (time from the start of the fluctuation of the symbol to the final display of the stopped symbol) are provided, and are selectively executed. .

In the above-described random counter, data is extracted at random timing (for example, at the time of occurrence of a start winning, etc.) in accordance with establishment of extraction conditions determined for each counter. As a result, the data extracted from each random counter becomes a random value (random value).

FIG. 8 is a table showing data indicating the relationship between the value of the random counter R5 for determining the type of reach and the type of reach to be selected for each hit / miss state.

In FIG. 8, when the hit state is a big hit (hit in the figure), when -2 frames are off, -1.
There are six states: frame out, +1 frame out, +2 frame out, and large out. Here, the --2 to +2 frame loss is a kind of display result of the loss, and indicates how many frames the stop symbol of the middle symbol shifts from the reach symbol (the symbol whose left and right symbols match) to shift. Things. The number of frames in this case is the number of symbols, and one symbol of the symbol difference between the reach symbol and the middle symbol (the difference in symbol number on the symbol array described later) is represented as one frame. Then, the symbol number of the reach symbol is regarded as a reference value "0", and the direction in which the number decreases from the symbol number serving as the reference value is represented by "-", and the direction in which the number increases is represented by "+". . Therefore, for example, +2 frames off means a state where the stop symbol of the middle symbol is shifted by +2 frames from the reach symbol. Also, a large loss refers to a state in which the stop symbol of the middle symbol deviates from the reach symbol by more than ± 2 frames (± 3 frames or more).

Referring to FIG. 8, the types of reach that can be selected and the numerical value range of R5 in which each reach is selected are shown for each state of hit to great loss. The type of reach is selected and determined in a different distribution manner for each hit / miss state, and the type of reach corresponding to the value of R5 extracted at a predetermined timing is determined as the type of reach to be displayed. For example, in the case of a big hit and a deviation of ± 1, all of reach 1 to reach 3 may occur, respectively. On the other hand, reach 1 and reach 2 may occur in the case of deviation from ± 2 frames and large deviation. FIG. 8 shows the range of R5 corresponding to each reach type corresponding to each state. For example, in the case of a big hit, reach 1 is selected when the value of R5 is 0 to 2, reach 2 is selected when the value of R5 is 3 to 7, and reach 3 is selected when the value of R5 is 8 to 18. Is done. In this way, in the case of a big hit, the type of reach is set to be easily selected in the order of reach 3, reach 2, and reach 1. On the other hand, in the case of a miss, on the contrary, the type of the reach is set to be easily selected in the order of reach 1, reach 2, and reach 3. Therefore, when the reach 3 is displayed, the player can be entertained by the display, for example, the expectation of the player for the occurrence of the big hit can be increased, and the fun of the variable display can be improved.

Next, control executed by the CPU 56 of the basic circuit 53 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a main process and an interrupt process executed by the basic circuit 53. FIG. 9A shows a flowchart of the main program, and FIG. 9B shows a flowchart of the interrupt processing program.

Referring to FIG. 9A, in the main processing, first, in step S (hereinafter simply referred to as S) 1, processing for setting a clock monitor control register to clock monitor enable is performed. This is a preparation for performing the initialization processing. Next, the process proceeds to S2, where a stack setting process for setting the designated address of the stack pointer is performed. Specifically, a process of setting 00FFH to the stack pointer is performed. Next, the process proceeds to S3, where a system check process is performed. This system check process is a process for performing initialization. It is determined whether an error is included in the RAM 55 of the basic circuit 53, and if an error is included, the RAM 55 is initialized. Processing. Further, in the system check process, a timer interrupt time (for example, 0.002 seconds) for specifying a timing for executing an interrupt process described later is set to C.
The processing for setting the PU 56 is performed. As a result, timing for specifying the execution timing of the first interrupt process after resetting due to power-on or the like is started.

Next, the display random number updating process for determining in advance the symbol to be stopped by the variable display unit 9 is performed in S4.
It is performed by In S4, the display random number updating process is repeatedly performed in an infinite loop. In particular,
R2-1, R4, R among the random counters described above
6 is subjected to an addition process. The repetitive execution of this infinite loop of S4 is temporarily stopped at a position where the program constituting the process of S4 is being executed when an interrupt process described later is started, and when the interrupt process is completed. Execution resumes from the location of the paused program.

Next, referring to FIG. 9B, the interrupt processing is performed by setting the time value of the timer for the timer interrupt managed by the CPU 56 to the set value (timer interrupt time set in S2:
(Specifically, 0.002 seconds), the execution is started.

In the interrupt processing routine shown in FIG.
First, processing for setting display control data is performed in S5. The display control data is data of a display control command as command data for controlling the display of the variable display unit 9 of the variable display device 8. The details of the display control command will be described later.

Next, the control proceeds to S6, in which the display control data (command data) set in S5 is transmitted to the display control board 80.

Next, in S7, processing for transmitting predetermined command data for sound generation and LED lighting control to the lamp control board 35 and the voice control board 70 is performed. Data output processing for transmitting data such as information and probability variation information is performed. These output data are set by S9. Next, the process proceeds to S8, in which a process for counting the operation of a lamp timer for lighting or blinking various lamps and LEDs is performed. Then, the process proceeds to S9, in which predetermined command data for sound generation and LED lighting control for transmission to the lamp control board 35 and the voice control board 70 are set, and jackpot information for transmission to the hall management computer, start-up. A process for setting information, probability variation information, and the like is performed.

Then, the program proceeds to S10, in which various abnormalities are diagnosed by a self-diagnosis function provided inside the pachinko gaming machine 1, and an error is generated according to the result if necessary. . Next, the process proceeds to S11, in which various random numbers for determination used in game control, that is, a process of updating a random counter are performed. S
11, specifically, R1, R4, and R5
(1 addition) is performed.

Then, the program proceeds to S12, in which a special symbol process is performed. The special symbol process process is a process in which a corresponding process is selected and executed according to a special symbol process flag for controlling the pachinko gaming machine 1 in a predetermined order according to a gaming state. Then, the value of the special symbol process flag is updated during each processing according to the gaming state. Further, the process proceeds to S13, where a normal symbol process process is performed. In the normal symbol process process, a corresponding process is selected and executed according to a normal symbol process flag for controlling the variable display 10 in a predetermined order. Then, the value of the normal symbol process flag is updated during each process according to the gaming state.

Next, the control proceeds to S14, in which the gate switch 12, starting port switch 17, count switch 23, V
The state of the count switch 22 and the like is input, and a switch process is performed to determine whether or not each of the winning ports and the variable winning ball device has won. Next, the process proceeds to S15, and the speaker 2
The sound processing for generating a predetermined sound is performed from step S7.

Then, the flow advances to S16, where processing for updating the display random number is performed. This display random number is, specifically, a process for adding and updating the symbol determination R2-1 and R3 by "1" each. Next, in S17, when a hit ball is won, a prize ball signal process for outputting a prize ball number signal to the prize ball substrate 37 and issuing a prize ball payout control command is performed. The prize ball substrate 37 receives the prize ball number signal,
The ball payout device 97 is controlled to pay out the number of prize balls specified by the winning ball number signal.

Next, the process proceeds to S18, where a timer interrupt time setting process is performed. In S18, a process of setting the timer interruption time (for example, 0.002 seconds) as described above in the same manner as in S3 is executed. After S18, this interrupt processing ends. As a result, at the end of this interrupt processing, the timer interrupt time is set in S18, and the timing for defining the execution timing of the next interrupt processing is started. Therefore, the time for the timer interrupt is measured each time the interrupt processing ends, and thereafter, the interrupt processing is executed every time the timer interrupt time elapses. When the interrupt processing is completed, the execution of the above-described main processing program is resumed from the temporarily stopped position.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an outline for controlling the jackpot of the pachinko gaming machine 1. First, the count number of the random counter R1 that counts in the range of 0 to 249 is extracted.

In the normal time when the probability is not high, it is predetermined to generate a big hit when the extracted value is "3". Data is extracted from R3, and based on the extracted value,
The big hit symbol displayed on the variable display section 9 is determined. On the other hand, when the extracted value of R1 is other than "3", the outlier is determined in advance, data is extracted from R2-1, R2-2, and R2-3, and displayed on the variable display unit 9 based on the extracted value. The outlier symbol is determined. Here, in the case where the determined out-of-office pattern happens to be a zoro-eye pattern, R2
"1" is added to the extracted value of "-2", and the display control is forcibly made into a lost symbol.

On the other hand, in the case of a high probability, it is determined that a big hit state is generated when the extracted value of R1 is 3, 7, 79, 103, 107. On the other hand, when the extracted value of random 1 is other than 3, 7, 79, 103, 107 at the time of high probability, the outlier is determined in advance.

Next, a method of determining a symbol variably displayed on the variable display section 9 based on a winning in the starting winning opening 14 will be described with reference to flowcharts of FIGS. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the basic circuit 53 to determine that a hit ball has won the start winning port 14.

First, in S41, it is determined whether or not a hit ball has been won in the starting winning port 14. If the hit ball has not won the start winning port 14, N is determined in S41.
A determination of O is made and this routine ends. On the other hand, if the hit ball wins the start winning port 14 and a detection signal is input from the start port switch 17, a YES determination is made in S41 and the process proceeds to S42, and the starting winning memory number becomes "4". A determination is made as to whether or not there is. If the starting winning storage number has already reached the upper limit of "4", no more storage is possible, and the routine ends as it is. On the other hand, if the start winning prize memory is not "4", there is still room to store the prize, and the process proceeds to S43, where a process of adding and updating the starting prize storing number by "1" is performed.

Next, the process proceeds to S44, in which the random number (R
The processing of extracting the value of 1) and storing it in the random number value storage area corresponding to the number of the winning prize stored is performed. RA of basic circuit 53
The M55 is provided with four random number value storage areas (also referred to as special symbol determination banks) corresponding to the number of start winning prizes stored in the range of 1 to 4, and the big hit determination random numbers extracted according to the starting prize are stored. This S4 is stored in a random value storage area (special symbol determination bank) corresponding to the starting winning number.
4 is processed. In addition, the above-mentioned four random number storage areas are, in detail, four random number storage areas 0 to 3.
One storage area, starting from random number storage area 0,
The big hit determination random number (R1) is stored.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a process executed by the basic circuit 53 to determine a stop symbol at the time of variable display on the variable display section 9.

Referring to FIG. 12, CPU 56 confirms the value of the number of start winning combinations in the special symbol process of S12 described above (S50). If the start winning prize storage number is not 0, the value of R1 stored in the random value storage area (area 0) corresponding to the start prize storage number = 1 is read out (S51), and the value of the start winning prize storage number is changed. The value of each random number storage area is shifted by 1 and the value of each random number storage area is shifted (S52).
In other words, the value of R1 stored in the random number value storage area corresponding to the number of start prize storages = n (n = 2, 3, 4) is
It is stored in the random number value storage area corresponding to the number of start winning prizes = n-1.

Then, the CPU 56 determines the value read in S51, that is, the extracted random number (R
Based on the value of 1), it is determined (determined) whether to make a big hit or a miss by the processing described with reference to FIG. 10 described above (S53).

If it is determined (decided) that a big hit has occurred, the CPU
56 extracts the value of the big hit symbol determination random number (R3),
Based on the value, the scheduled stop symbol for the big hit is determined. Here, if the limiter is operating, it is stored in advance in order to select only the symbols (non-stochastic symbols) that do not include the combination of the symbols (probable symbols) that cause the probability variation according to the value of the big hit symbol determining random number (R3). Using the data of the non-probable variable symbol table (table data in which R1 is associated with the non-probable variable symbol), the corresponding jackpot stop symbol at the time of non-probable variation is extracted from the extracted value of the jackpot symbol determining random number (R3). It is determined (S54, S56). Here, the limiter is used to limit the occurrence of the jackpot due to the probable change symbol, that is, the continuation of the high probability state continuously. For example, if the high probability state continues four times in a row, the limiter is activated. Therefore,
In the limiter operating state, the planned stop symbol is determined using the non-probable variable symbol table. On the other hand, if the limiter is not operating, the big hit stop symbol is determined using the data of the table including all the symbols (S54, S55).

Further, the CPU 56 extracts the reach type determining random number (R5), and determines the type of reach (reach display mode) based on the extracted value, as described above.
This is because the reach (reach display mode) is always performed when a big hit occurs.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S53 that there is a deviation, the CPU 56 sets the reach determination random number (R
The value of 4) is extracted, and it is determined whether or not to reach, based on the extracted value (S58). For example, when the extracted value of the reach determination random number (R4) is any of “105 to 1530”, it is determined not to reach. On the other hand, when the extracted value is any one of “0 to 104”, it is determined to be reach. If it is determined that a reach is to be made, the CPU 56 determines a reach symbol as follows.

In this embodiment, when reaching at the time of determining a loss, a scheduled stop symbol of the left and right symbols is determined according to the value of R2-1 (S59). Thereby, the left and right symbols are matched, and a reach symbol is set. Then, the planned stop symbol of the middle symbol is determined according to the value of R2-2 (S60). In other words, in the case of the reach state at the time of the loss, any symbol corresponding to the values of R2-1 and R2-2 from 0 to 11 is determined as the scheduled stop symbol. Here, if the determined middle symbol coincides with the left and right symbols by chance, the symbol corresponding to the value obtained by adding 1 to the extracted value of R2-2 is determined as the scheduled stop symbol of the middle symbol. Thereby, the combination of the stop symbols in the case of the reach at the time of the loss is prevented from becoming the combination of the big hit symbols.

Further, the CPU 56 extracts a reach type determining random number (R5), and determines the type of reach as described above based on the extracted value.

On the other hand, if it is determined not to reach in step S58, the CPU 56 sets R2-1 to R2-1.
The left and right scheduled stop symbols are determined according to the respective values of R2-3 (S61). As will be described later, in the case of this embodiment, in the high probability state, a variation pattern in which the variation time is shortened is used as a variation pattern at the time of a loss. Therefore, in the case of the high probability state, the CPU 56 determines whether to use the normal variation pattern at the time of the deviation or the shortened variation pattern by using, for example, a predetermined random number (a value extracted by a predetermined random counter) or the like. decide.

As described above, it is determined whether the display mode of the symbol change based on the winning start is a big hit, a reach mode, or a loss mode, and the left, middle, and right stop symbols are determined. The combination is determined.

The types of reach determined in S57 described above are classified into three types based on the length of the variable display period (variable display period). As will be described later in detail, in this embodiment, as the type of reach, 19.
Either Reach 1 for 5 seconds, Reach 2 for 24.5 seconds, or Reach 3 for 29.5 seconds is used. Therefore,
When the type of reach is determined in S57, the variable display period is automatically determined.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program of the special symbol process process shown in S12. This special symbol process processing is controlled so that any one of the ten types of processing from S300 to S309 is executed according to the value of the special symbol process flag. In S300 to S309, the following processing is executed.

Special symbol change waiting process (S300): Waits for a ball to be hit in the starting winning port 14 (the winning port of the variable winning ball device 15 in this embodiment) and the starting port switch 17 to be turned on. When the starting port switch 17 is turned on, the starting winning memory number is set to “1” unless the starting winning memory number is full.
At the same time, the random number for jackpot determination is extracted. That is, the processing shown in FIG. 11 is executed.

Special symbol determination processing (S301): When variable display of special symbols can be started, the number of start winning prizes is confirmed. If the starting prize storage number is not 0, it is determined whether to make a big hit or a miss according to the value of the extracted big hit determination random number. That is, processing corresponding to S50 to S53 shown in FIG. 12 is executed.

Stop symbol setting process (S302): A stop symbol for the left and right middle symbols is determined. That is, processes corresponding to S54 to S56, S59 to S61, and the like shown in FIG. 12 are executed.

Reach operation setting process (S303): Whether to display reach is determined in accordance with the result of determination as to whether or not a big hit and the value of a random number for reach determination, and the type of reach when displaying reach is determined. The type of reach is determined according to the value of the random number for use. That is, S shown in FIG.
Processing corresponding to 58, S57, etc. is executed.

All symbols change start process (S304): The variable display section 9 is controlled to start changing all symbols. At this time, the display control data output process in S5 described above causes the display control board 80 to display the display control command as a display control command, including a change time (including a change type such as a reach type).
, And three stop symbol commands, left, middle, and right, which command left and right scheduled stop symbols (final stop symbols), respectively.

All symbols stop waiting process (S305): After a predetermined time has elapsed, control is performed so that all symbols displayed on the variable display section 9 are stopped. Also, control is performed so that the left and right symbols are stopped at a predetermined timing until the timing of stopping all symbols.

Big hit display processing (S306): When the stop symbol is a combination of big hit symbols, control is performed so that a display control command for displaying a big hit is transmitted to the display control board 80 and the internal state (process flag) Is updated to shift to step S307. If not, the internal state is updated to shift to step S309. The combination of the big hit symbols is a combination in which the right and left middle symbols are aligned. Further, the display control CPU 101 of the game control board 80 according to the data of the display control command,
A big hit is displayed on the variable display unit 9. The jackpot display is made to notify the player of the occurrence of the jackpot.

[0115] Big winning opening opening process (S307): Control for opening the big winning opening is started. Specifically, the counter and the flag are initialized, and the solenoid 21 is driven to open the special winning opening.

Processing during opening of the special winning opening (S308): Control for transmitting display control command data of the special winning opening round display to the display control board 80, processing for confirming establishment of the closing condition of the special winning opening, and the like are performed. If the closing condition of the special winning opening is satisfied, the internal state is updated to shift to S307 unless the end condition of the big hit gaming state is satisfied. If the end condition of the big hit game state is satisfied, the internal state is changed to S30.
Update to move to 9.

Big hit end processing (S309): A display for notifying the player that the big hit gaming state has ended is performed. When this display is completed, the internal flags and the like are returned to the initial state, and the internal state is updated to shift to S300.

As described above, when a ball is hit in the starting winning opening 14, the basic circuit 53 determines in the special symbol process processing of step S11 (see FIG. 9) whether to make a big hit or a loss, and stop. A symbol is determined, a variable display period is determined, and a display control command and an INT signal corresponding to the determination are output to the display control board 80. The display control CPU 101 on the display control board 80 side includes:
The display of the variable display unit 9 is controlled in response to a display control command from the game control board 31.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the middle left and right symbols used in this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, in this embodiment, the types of symbols variably displayed as the left and right special symbols are the same in the left and right,
One of "one"-"ten", "clogs", and "onigiri"
There are two designs. In these symbols, symbol numbers from 1 to 12 are set in order from “1” to “rice ball”. The types of these symbols are displayed in the order of the symbol number during the variable display, and the symbol (onigiri) of symbol number 12 is displayed.
Is displayed, the symbol (1) of symbol number 1 is displayed next. And the middle left and right symbols are, for example, "one",
When the vehicle stops at "3", "5", "7", "9", or "clogs", a high probability state is set. That is, the symbol that is in such a high probability state is a positively-variable symbol.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory view showing an example of a background screen (image) displayed as a special symbol background on the variable display section 9 used in this embodiment. In this example,
(A) Dojo (also called room), (B) Flash, (C)
Aura and (D) smoke backgrounds are used. The display shown in FIG. 15E shows an example of a demonstration screen displayed during a non-game of the gaming machine or the like. Here, the background is mainly a back screen for a design among images displayed in the image display area of the variable display unit 9 and means a display unit image of a portion excluding a special design image.

FIGS. 16 and 17 are explanatory diagrams showing examples of characters displayed on the variable display section 9 used in this embodiment. Here, the character refers to an image displayed on the variable display device 4 representing a human, an animal, an object, or the like. In this example, (A) character A, (B)
A plurality of different types of characters, character B and (C) character C, are used. The character A
Is also used as a character for reach notice (reach notice display). Here, the reach announcement means to notify that there is a possibility that reach will occur before the reach occurs. In this embodiment, there are a plurality of reach announcement modes. For example, when the character A is displayed so as to shine (reach announcement 1), or when the character A is announced in a balloon (reach announcement 2), the reach announcement is performed. Has been done. The character A is also used as a character for establishing a reach. When a predetermined condition is established, the display control is performed such that the foot of the character A kicks the right symbol and the left and right symbols stop at the same symbol. Done.

Further, during the reach operation, the character A,
B and C are displayed so as to give a big hit notice (big hit notice display) by blowing. Here, the big hit notice means that a big hit is likely to be generated before the big hit is generated. In this embodiment, there are a plurality of jackpot notice modes (jackpots 1 and 2). Big hit notice 1
Is used alone, but the jackpot notice 2 is not used by itself, but is displayed when a predetermined time has elapsed after the jackpot notice 1 is displayed.

In this embodiment, two modes are used as the reach announcement and the jackpot announcement, respectively, but more types may be used. Also, in this embodiment, the announcement is made by the balloon of the character, but the announcement may be in any manner as long as the player can recognize that the announcement has been made. For example, the notice may be made based on an unusual character action or an unusual symbol variation. Further, a notice used when a jackpot is likely to occur in a probability-change design may be a probability-change jackpot notice.
In addition, the notice may be divided into a notice having a high probability of a big hit and a notice having a low probability of a big hit, and the notice having a lower probability may be defined as a reach notice.

Now, the relationship between the background and the character described above will be described. As described above, the background and the character may be different images, and the background may include the character. Also, in the case of the background, it is mainly the back screen for the design, which means the display part image of the part excluding the design. However, in the case of the character, the background is not limited to the one drawn on the background, but is in front of the design (on the top). (Meaning that they overlap).

It is desirable that the character used here is animated (moving image) especially for a moving person such as a person. That is, movements such as limb movement, running, jumping, etc. are visually appealing. For the same reason, it is desirable to use such an object as long as it has an operation such as moving.

Display Control CP on Display Control Board 80
When receiving the display control command from the game control board 31, the U101 performs display control for moving and displaying a predetermined background or character on the screen for each variation type specified by the display control command. The background and the character are also switched at a predetermined timing, and the display control CPU 101 independently controls the background and the character.

FIGS. 18 to 21 are explanatory diagrams showing examples of display control commands transmitted from the game control board 31 to the display control board 80 used in this embodiment. In this example, one display control command is 2 bytes (CMD
1, CMD2).

FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing a fluctuation time command which can specify a fluctuation display time and a fluctuation type in a special symbol fluctuation display, and an all symbol stop command for instructing stop (fixed display) of all symbols. .

Referring to FIG. 18, first byte data C
The value “80H” of MD1 specifies that the data is the data of the variable time command or the all symbol stop command.
Then, in the case of the variation time command, the display content of the variation type is designated by the value of the data CMD2 of the second byte,
In the case of the all symbol change stop command, the fact that all symbol change is stopped is designated. The second byte data is "00H" ~
The data of "15H" is a variable time command, and the data of the second byte data of "16H" is an all symbol stop command.

As the display contents specified by the data of the second byte of the fluctuation time command, the fluctuation time of the special symbol and its fluctuation type are specified. For example, the specified fluctuation time is 7.8S, 6.9S, 19.5S, 2
Either 4.5S or 29.5S is specified.

In the case of the fluctuation time of 7.8S, a normal deviation fluctuation type is designated. In the case of the variation time of 6.9S, the variation type of all symbol variations performed at the time of the probability variation is designated.

In the case of the fluctuation time of 19.5S, the fluctuation type of the reach 1 is designated. In the case of Reach 1, the variation types of "-2 frames out,""-1 frame out,""hit,""+1 frame out,""+2 frame out," and "Large out" are selectively specified. . In the case of the fluctuation time of 24.5S, the fluctuation type of the reach 2 is specified. In the case of the reach 2, the variation type of “-2 frames out,” “−1 frame out,” “hit,” “+1 frame out,” “+2 frame out,” and “Large out” is selectively specified. . Fluctuation time 2
In the case of 9.55, the variation type of reach 3 is specified.
In the case of Reach 3, "-1 frame off", "hit",
The change type of “+1 frame out” is selectively designated.

Control data ROM on the display control board 80 side
In 102, display control data for displaying the variation time and variation type designated by each variation time command is stored, and display control is performed according to the variation time and variation type designated by the variation time command.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing, in a table form, a left stop symbol command as a display control command for instructing a stop symbol relating to the left symbol. As shown in FIG. 19, 12 types of left stop symbols (“one” to “onigiri”) can be designated by a display control command composed of 2-byte data CMD1 and CMD2. In these specifications,
The value of the first byte data CMD1 is “8B (H)”, and the value of the second byte data CMD2 is “00
(H) ”to“ 0B (H) ”.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing, in a table form, a middle stop symbol command as a display control command for designating a stop symbol relating to the middle symbol. As shown in FIG. 20, twelve types of middle stop symbols ("one" to "onigiri") can be designated by a display control command composed of 2-byte data CMD1 and CMD2. In these specifications,
The value of the first byte data CMD1 is “8C (H)”, and the value of the second byte data CMD2 is “00
(H) ”to“ 0B (H) ”.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing a right stop symbol command as a display control command for designating a stop symbol relating to the right symbol in a table format. As shown in FIG. 21, twelve types of right stop symbols (“one” to “onigiri”) can be designated by a display control command composed of 2-byte data CMD1 and CMD2. In these specifications,
The value of the first byte data CMD1 is “8D (H)”, and the value of the second byte data CMD2 is “00”.
(H) ”to“ 0B (H) ”.

When the variation time is designated by a command, the variation time itself may be designated as a command instead of the designation of the CMD2 data number. For example, if the fluctuation time is 10 seconds, “0AH” that designates the time may be CMD2. That is, the display control board 80 (the display control CPU 101) may determine the content of the variation within the variation time with a command that only knows the variation time, or one variation for one variation time. The contents may correspond to each other.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing a display control command transmitted from the game control board 31 to the display control board 80. As shown in FIG. 22, in this embodiment, the display control command is transmitted from the game control board 31 to the display control board 8 via eight signal lines for the display control signals CD0 to CD7.
Sent to 0. In addition, between the game control board 31 and the display control board 80, a signal line for an INT signal, + 5V and + 12V supply lines serving as a power supply of the display control board 80, and a ground level (GND) are supplied. Are also wired.

FIG. 23 is a timing chart showing an example of transmission timing of a display control command given from the game control board 31 to the display control board 80. In this example, two bytes (CMD1, C
As shown in the figure, the display control data of MD2) is transmitted in 2 bytes during 2 ms, which is the interval of occurrence of the timer interrupt of the basic circuit 53 (shown as a periodic interrupt signal defining the timer interrupt timing in the figure). . Then, IN is synchronized with the output of the data of the first byte of the display control command.
A T signal is output. The display control CPU 101 has IN
Since an interrupt occurs at the rise of the T signal, the display control C
The PU 101 can take in the data of each display control command by the interrupt processing program.

Hereinafter, with reference to FIGS. 24 to 29, an example of a symbol variation pattern will be described.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing display patterns constituting each variation pattern. FIG. 25 is a timing chart showing an example of a pattern fluctuation pattern at the time of out of reach. FIGS. 26 to 29 are timing charts illustrating an example of a pattern fluctuation pattern when the fluctuation type is reach (including both the case of a big hit and the case of no big hit).

Referring to FIG. 24, types of a to h as shown in the table are defined as display patterns, which are used in combination in each variation pattern. This figure 2
In FIG. 4, there is a “frame feed variation”, which is a variable display in which frames of the display image of the special symbol are sent one by one (the operation of once sending and repeating a pause is repeated). In addition, there is "one frame reverse return", and in this case, reverse return means that frames are sent in a reverse order to the normal sending order. Further, the forward fluctuation means that the special symbol fluctuates in a normal scroll direction (forward direction), and the reverse fluctuation means that the special symbol fluctuates in a direction opposite to the normal scroll direction.

Next, with reference to FIG. 25, a description will be given of a pattern variation pattern at the time of a non-reach out of position.

Here, prior to the description of the fluctuation pattern, the transmission timing of the display control command will be described with reference to FIG. In the case of this embodiment, the display control command is
The timing is transmitted at the timing related to the start of the change of the special symbol and at the timing related to the determination of the stop symbol of the special symbol. At the start of the change, the above-mentioned change pattern command (for example, 8000H in the case of FIG.
The middle and right stop symbol commands are sequentially transmitted. Based on the command transmitted as above, the display control CPU
The variable display control is performed by the variable pattern 101 in the following variable pattern. In such a variable display control, the display control CP
Since U101 has already recognized the fluctuating time and the planned stop symbol based on the command, display control is performed so that the planned stop symbol can be definitely displayed when such a fluctuating time has elapsed. Then, the display control CPU 101 receives the all symbol stop command sent when the fluctuation time specified by the command has elapsed, and performs control to definitely display the scheduled stop symbol in response to the reception.

Next, with reference to FIG. 25, a description will be specifically given of a pattern fluctuation pattern at the time of a non-reach out of position. As shown in FIG. 25A, “left” in the variable display unit 9
First, in the symbol display area, the symbol is changed in accordance with the pattern a. The pattern a is a pattern in which the fluctuation speed increases little by little as shown in FIG. After that, the pattern b is fluctuated at a constant speed, the symbol replacement control is performed so that the symbol three symbols before the stopped symbol is displayed, and then the three symbols are fluctuated according to the pattern c. The pattern c is, as shown in FIG.
This is a pattern that gradually slows down and stops.

In the "right" symbol display area of the variable display section 9, symbols are changed according to the pattern "a". Then, after the constant speed fluctuation, after the symbol replacement control is performed so that the symbol three symbols before the stopped symbol is displayed, the three symbols are changed according to the pattern c. Also in the "medium" symbol display area, first, the pattern a is changed. Then, after the constant speed fluctuation, after the symbol replacement control is performed so that the symbol three symbols before the stopped symbol is displayed, the symbol is changed according to the pattern c.

The display control CP of the display control board 80
U101 repeatedly fluctuates the left and right symbols in the normal direction (forward direction) and the opposite direction of the change direction until the middle symbol is determined.
That is, the display control CPU 101 performs display control of the left and right symbols in a so-called swing fluctuation state. The swing fluctuation refers to a display in which the displayed symbol swings up and down without being updated to another symbol. The swing fluctuation is performed until a final stop symbol (fixed symbol) is displayed. Then, when the display control CPU 101 receives the all symbol stop command from the game control board 31, the display control CPU 101 ends the swing fluctuation state of the left and right symbols, and controls to a fixed state in which the left and right symbols do not move. In addition, the swinging operation may be performed on the medium symbol after the fluctuation due to the pattern c, and thereafter, the medium symbol may be set to the final state. Further, the swing fluctuation may be changed to the left and right instead of the pattern which swings the symbol up and down.

While the symbol is changing, the display control CPU
A display control 101 performs display control so that “Dojo” (see FIG. 15) is displayed as a background, and displays a character A (see FIG. 16) on the screen and moves the character A appropriately. Perform Specifically, the display control CPU 101 notifies the VDP 103 of the background and the character to be displayed. Then, the VDP 103
Create the image data of the designated background. Also, VDP
103 creates image data of the designated character and combines it with a background image to create a combined image. Furthermore, V
The DP 103 combines the left and right middle pattern image data with the combined image. The VDP 103 also performs display control for moving the character and display control for changing the design. That is, the shape and display position of the character are changed according to a predetermined exercise pattern. Further, the symbol display position is changed according to the fluctuation speed notified from the display control CPU 101.

The display control CPU 101 controls the display of the symbol three symbols before the stop symbol at a predetermined timing in the symbol display area in the left and right so that the fluctuation of the symbol stops at the specified stop symbol. Perform At the start of the change, the stop symbols in the left and right are notified by the display control commands (the change time command and the stop symbol command), and the change pattern including the change time at the time of the loss is determined in advance. The switching timing from pattern a to pattern b and the switching timing from pattern c (symbol replacement timing) are determined based on the fluctuation time command, and the symbol three symbols before to be replaced is scheduled stop symbol (final stop symbol). Is determined from the back calculation. And, based on these decisions,
The display control CPU 101 performs display control including replacement of symbols. The replacement symbol determined by the display control CPU 101 is notified to the VDP 103, and the VDP 103
Displays the symbol that has been notified of replacement, irrespective of the symbol being displayed at that time.

FIG. 25B is a timing chart showing an example of a variation pattern at the time of a loss in the probability variation state. In this variation pattern, as shown in the figure,
After the left and right middle symbols are changed according to the pattern a, the pattern b and the pattern c, the left and right middle symbols are simultaneously stopped. Also when this variation pattern is used, the display control CPU 101 controls the display so that “Dojo” (see FIG. 15) is displayed as the background, and displays the character A (see FIG. 16) on the screen. The display control is performed so that the character A moves appropriately.

That is, in this embodiment, when the display control CPU 101 receives a display control command designating “out” from the game control means, that is, the CPU 56 of the game control board 31, the display control CPU 101 proceeds to FIG. ) Or (B) is determined to variably display the middle left and right symbols, and the appearance of the character A and the use of the background image of “Dojo” are determined.

FIG. 26 shows an example of a fluctuation pattern displayed when 19.5 seconds of Reach 1 is notified from the game control board 31 as the fluctuation time. Display control CPU 101
Receives a command specifying a 19.5-second fluctuation of reach 1 and uniquely determines which of the plurality of fluctuation patterns to use as the fluctuation pattern of reach 1 for 19.5 seconds. decide. FIG. 26 illustrates three patterns (A) to (C) as a plurality of variation patterns.

In the variation pattern shown in FIG. 26A, after the left and right symbols have stopped, the middle symbol of the pattern d is changed. Note that the display control CPU 101 swings the left and right symbols when the left and right symbols are stopped while the middle symbol is changing. In the pattern d, the fluctuation speed gradually decreases,
Thereafter, the pattern fluctuates at a constant speed. Then, the reach operation starts, and the pattern b and the pattern c
, The middle symbol is changed. Display control C
When the PU 101 receives the all symbol stop command from the game control board 31, the PU 101 ends the swing fluctuation state of the left and right symbols,
Display control is performed in a fixed state where the left and right symbols do not move.

The display control CPU 101 performs symbol replacement (symbol skip control) before the start of the reach operation so that the symbol is determined by the stop symbol notified from the game control board 31. Since the variation pattern is determined in advance, the display control CPU 101 can recognize the switching timing from the pattern d to the pattern b and the switching timing from the pattern b to the pattern c, and the three patterns before replacement are required. Can be determined. The background and the type of the character do not change during the change of the middle symbol.

In the variation pattern shown in FIG. 26B, after the left and right symbols have stopped, the middle symbol of the pattern d is changed. Then, the reach operation is started, and the middle symbol is changed according to the pattern a and the pattern c. When the display control CPU 101 receives the all symbol stop command from the game control board 31, the display control CPU 101 ends the swing fluctuation state of the left and right symbols and performs display control to a fixed state in which the left and right middle symbols do not move. In addition, the display control CPU 101 performs symbol replacement (symbol skip control) before the start of the reach operation so that the symbol is determined by the stop symbol notified from the game control board 31. In the case of the variation pattern shown in FIG. 26B, when the right symbol is stopped, the display control CPU 1
01 performs display control so that the character A kicks the right symbol (see FIG. 16). Therefore, the player feels as if the character A has achieved the reach by kicking the right symbol.

In the variation pattern shown in FIG. 26C, after the left and right symbols are stopped, the middle symbol is changed in the pattern d. Then, the reach operation is started, and the pattern b,
The fluctuation of the middle symbol is performed according to the pattern c and the pattern h. Pattern h, after a pause,
This is a pattern in which 0.9 symbols reversely change and 0.9 symbols sequentially change. When the display control CPU 101 receives the all symbol stop command from the game control board 31, the display control CPU 101 ends the swing fluctuation state of the left and right symbols, and performs display control to a fixed state in which the left and right middle symbols do not move.

The display control CPU 101 replaces the symbols before the start of the reach operation so that the symbols determined by the stop symbols notified by the command from the game control board 31 are determined. In the case of the variation pattern shown in FIG. 26C, when the right symbol stops, the display control CPU 1
01 switches the background image to “aura” (see FIG. 15) and changes the character appearing on the screen to the character B
(See FIG. 17).

As described above, in the case of this embodiment, the display control CPU 101 is the CPU 5 of the game control board 31.
When a display control command designating the reach 1 having the fluctuation time of 19.5 seconds is received from FIG.
It is determined which of the fluctuation patterns shown in (C) is to be used to variably display the middle left and right symbols.

If it is determined to use the variation pattern (A) or (B), when the left and right symbols are stopped to reach the reach state, the background screen of the character A and the "dojo" is continuously used. Is decided. If it is determined to use the variation pattern of (C), it is determined that the character and the background screen are switched to the character B and the “aura” background screen when the reach state is reached.

It should be noted that even in the variation patterns of the variation time of 19.5 seconds shown in FIGS.
U101 swings the left and right symbols up and down until the middle symbol is determined. The symbol replacement control for the middle symbol is executed at the timing when the right symbol stops. Display control C
The PU 101 responds to the middle stop symbol notified from the game control board 31 at the start of the fluctuation, and the number of symbol fluctuations during the reach fluctuation period (for example, the fluctuation time of the patterns d, b, and c in FIG. 26). , To determine the replacement symbol.

Further, when the display control CPU 101 determines to perform the reach announcement, the display control CPU 101 controls the VDP 103 so that the character A is displayed on the variable display section 9 in the form of the reach announcement 1 or the reach announcement 2. If it is determined that the control is to be performed to perform the jackpot notice, the character displayed at that time is displayed on the variable display unit 9 in the form of the jackpot notice 1 or the jackpot notice 2 during the reach operation. Controls the VDP 103. The big hit notice 2 is a development of the big hit notice 1. Further, upon receiving the display control command, the display control CPU 101 independently determines whether or not to perform the reach announcement and the jackpot announcement, and when performing the advance announcement, the mode of the advance announcement. The specific determination method will be described later.

FIG. 27 shows an example of a fluctuation pattern displayed when 24.5 seconds of Reach 2 is notified from the game control board 31 as the fluctuation time. Display control CPU 101
Receives a command specifying a 24.5-second fluctuation pattern of reach 2 and determines which of the plurality of fluctuation patterns prepared as the 24.5-second fluctuation pattern is to be used. To decide. FIG. 27 illustrates three patterns (A) to (C) as a plurality of variation patterns.

In the variation pattern shown in FIG. 27A, after the left and right symbols have stopped, the middle symbol of pattern d is changed. Note that the display control CPU 101 swings the left and right symbols when the left and right symbols are stopped while the middle symbol is changing. Then, the reach operation is started, and the pattern b,
The middle symbol is changed according to the pattern c and the pattern f. The pattern f is a high-speed change, and a pause period is set before the start of the change by the pattern f. When the display control CPU 101 receives the all symbol stop command from the game control board 31, the display control CPU 101 ends the swing fluctuation state of the left and right symbols, and performs display control to a fixed state in which the left and right middle symbols do not move.

The display control CPU 101 replaces the symbols before the start of the reach operation so that the symbols are determined by the stop symbols notified by the command from the game control board 31. In the variation pattern shown in FIG. 27A, when the right symbol stops, the display control CPU 10
1 switches the background image to “flash” (see FIG. 15).
When the right symbol is stopped, the display control CPU 101 performs control to display the character A so that the character A kicks the right symbol (see FIG. 16).

In the variation pattern shown in FIG. 27B, after the left and right symbols have stopped, the middle symbol of pattern d is changed. Then, the reach operation is started, and the middle symbol is changed according to the pattern b, the pattern c, and the pattern h. When the display control CPU 101 receives the all symbol stop command from the game control board 31,
The swing fluctuation state of the left and right symbols is ended, and the display is controlled to a fixed state in which the left and right symbols do not move. Also, a display control CPU
101 replaces the symbols before the start of the reach operation so that the symbols are determined by the stop symbols notified from the game control board 31. In the case of the variation pattern shown in FIG. 27B, when the right symbol stops, the display control CPU is stopped.
101 switches the background image to “flash” (see FIG. 15).

In the variation pattern shown in FIG. 27C, the middle symbol of the pattern d is changed after the left and right symbols are stopped. Then, the reach operation is started, and the middle symbol is changed according to the pattern b and the pattern c. When the display control CPU 101 receives the all symbol stop command from the game control board 31, the display control CPU 101 ends the swing fluctuation state of the left and right symbols and performs display control to a fixed state in which the left and right middle symbols do not move. In addition, the display control CPU 101 performs symbol replacement (symbol skip control) before the start of the reach operation so that the symbol is determined by the stop symbol notified by the command from the game control board 31. In the case of the fluctuation pattern shown in FIG. 27C, when the right symbol stops, the display control CPU 101 switches the background image to “aura” (see FIG. 15) and changes the character appearing on the screen to the character B (FIG. 17).

As described above, in the case of this embodiment, the display control CPU 101
When a display control command designating reach 2 having a fluctuation time of 24.5 seconds is received from FIG.
It is determined which of the fluctuation patterns shown in (C) is to be used to variably display the middle left and right symbols.

When it is determined to use the variation pattern (A) or (B), when the left and right symbols are stopped and the reach state is reached, the background screen is switched to “flash”. When it is determined to use the variation pattern of (C), it is determined that the background screen is switched to “aura” when it reaches the reach state.

It should be noted that even in the variation patterns of the variation time of 24.5 seconds shown in FIGS.
U101 swings the left and right symbols up and down until the middle symbol is determined. The symbol skip control of the middle symbol is executed at the timing when the right symbol stops.

Further, when the display control CPU 101 determines to perform the reach announcement, the display control CPU 101 sets the VDP 103 so that the character A is displayed on the variable display section 9 in the form of the reach announcement 1 or the reach announcement 2. If it is determined that the control is to be performed to perform the jackpot notice, the character displayed at that time is displayed on the variable display unit 9 in the form of the jackpot notice 1 or the jackpot notice 2 during the reach operation. Controls the VDP 103.

FIGS. 28 and 29 show the game control board 31.
5 shows an example of a fluctuation pattern displayed when 29.5 seconds of Reach 3 is notified as the fluctuation time from. When notified of the 29.5 second fluctuation pattern of the reach 3, the display control CPU 101 determines which of the plurality of fluctuation patterns prepared as the 29.5 second reach 3 fluctuation pattern is to be used. Decide on your own. FIGS. 28 and 29 show a plurality of variation patterns as (A) to (C).
Are exemplified. The variation patterns (C1) and (C2) are examples showing different aspects of one variation pattern. Therefore, FIG. 29 (C1)
FIG. 29 shows the fluctuation patterns exemplified in FIGS.
It may be called a variation pattern shown in (C).

In the variation pattern shown in FIG. 28A, after the left and right symbols have stopped, the middle symbol of the pattern d is changed. Note that the display control CPU 101 swings the left and right symbols while the middle symbol is changing. Then, the reach operation is started, and after the fluctuation by the pattern b and the pattern c, the fluctuation of the middle symbol is performed according to the pattern f after a pause period. The display control CPU 10
1 performs symbol replacement before start of the reach operation so that the symbols are determined by the stop symbols notified from the game control board 31 by the left, middle and right stop symbol commands. In addition,
In the variation pattern shown in FIG. 28A, when the right symbol stops, the display control CPU 101 switches the background image to “flash” (see FIG. 15).

Further, in the variation pattern shown in FIG. 28A, when the middle symbol fluctuates at high speed in the pattern f, the left and right symbols also fluctuate at high speed. Therefore, when the final stop symbol notified by the left, middle, and right stop symbol commands is a combination of the big hit symbols, the temporary stop symbols at the time of the temporary stop also have different types of the symbols, but also the combination of the big hit symbols. It is. Therefore, when the symbol becomes a big hit at the time of a pause, and then the left, middle, and right symbols change again by the high-speed change in the pattern f, the player feels that the big hit has occurred at the time of the pause, and again after the change, The big hit design is provided and the interest is re-established. The control for confirming and displaying the stopped symbol after the symbol has started to change again after the pause period is called re-variation control (also referred to as change control). The temporary stop symbol is the display control C
This is a symbol that the PU 101 performs a backward calculation from the stopped symbol to determine independently. Since the change speed and the change period of the pattern f are predetermined, the display control CPU 101 is notified by the left, middle, and right stop symbol commands in consideration of the change speed and the change period of the pattern f. The temporary stop symbol is calculated backward from the final stop symbol, and the calculated symbol is used as a temporary stop symbol at the time of re-variation, and used for the control of the re-variation as described above.

In the variation pattern shown in FIG. 28B, the middle symbol of the pattern d is changed after the left and right symbols are stopped. The display control CPU 101 swings the left and right symbols during the change of the middle symbol. Then, the reach operation is started, and after the fluctuation by the pattern b and the pattern h, the fluctuation of the middle symbol is performed according to the pattern f after a pause period. The display control CPU 10
1 performs the replacement of the symbols before the start of the reach operation so that the symbols are determined by the stop symbols notified from the game control board 31 by the command. In the variation pattern shown in FIG. 28B, when the right symbol stops, the display control CPU 101 switches the background image to “aura” (see FIG. 15) and changes the character appearing on the screen to the character B ( (See FIG. 17). Further, FIG.
In the variation pattern shown in (B), when the middle symbol fluctuates at high speed in pattern f, the left and right symbols also fluctuate at high speed.

Further, in the variation pattern shown in FIG. 29C, after the left and right symbols have stopped, the variation of the middle symbol is performed according to the pattern d. After that, the middle symbol is changed according to the pattern g. The pattern g is
This is a frame feed pattern. The display control CPU 1
At 01, the symbols are replaced before the start of the reach operation so that the symbols are determined by the stop symbols notified by the command from the game control board 31. In the variation pattern shown in FIG. 29C, when the right symbol stops, the display control CPU 101 sets the background image to “smoke” (see FIG. 15).
And the character appearing on the screen is switched to character C (see FIG. 17).

Variation time 2 shown in FIGS. 28 and 29
Even with a fluctuation pattern of 9.5 seconds, the display control CPU 101
Moves the left and right symbols up and down until the middle symbol is determined. The symbol skip control of the middle symbol is executed at the timing when the right symbol stops.

In the variation pattern including the frame feed shown in FIG. 29 (C), it is assumed that at the start of the reach operation, the left and right display symbols are aligned regardless of whether or not a big hit is made. Then, since the stop symbols of the left and right middle symbols have been transmitted from the game control board 31 to the display control board 80 at the time of starting the change, the stop symbols and the symbols at the start of the reach operation (the left and right middle symbols are aligned) are used as frames. The number of frames at the time of forwarding is determined.

For example, in the example shown in FIG. 29 (C1), the determined symbols are “seven” (left symbol), “eight” (middle symbol),
This is an example of a case where the +1 frame of “seven” (the right symbol) is out of alignment. The symbols at the start of the reach operation are "Seven", "Seven",
Since it is "seven", it is necessary to change 13 symbols at the time of frame advance. Also, in the example shown in FIG. 29 (C2), the determined symbols are “seven” (left symbol), “six” (middle symbol),
This is an example of a case where the minus frame of “seven” (right symbol) is out of alignment. The symbols at the start of the reach operation are "seven", "seven", "seven"
Therefore, it is necessary to change 11 symbols at the time of frame advance. Although not shown, when the final symbol is a big hit of "seven" (left symbol), "seven" (middle symbol), or "seven" (right symbol), the symbol at the time of the start of the reach operation. It is necessary to change 12 symbols at the time of frame advance from "7", "7", and "7".

In this case, if the period of frame advance is always kept constant, the fluctuation time deviates from 29.5 seconds. In order not to shift the fluctuation time, it is conceivable to change the fluctuation speed of frame advance according to the number of frames to be transmitted. However, it is unnatural to perform such display control. That is, it gives the player distrust. Therefore, in the case of this embodiment, when the display control CPU 101 determines to use the variation pattern shown in FIG. 29C, the variation speed at the time of the frame advance variation is always constant. Adjust the timing at the start of the reach operation.

That is, when the number of frames to be sent is small, the timing of the start of the reach operation is relatively delayed by, for example, making the period of the pattern b relatively long. By shortening the timing, the timing of starting the reach operation is relatively advanced. By performing such display control, it is possible to keep the overall fluctuation time at 29.5 seconds and keep the fluctuation speed during the frame feed fluctuation constant. In this example, by adjusting the length of the period of the pattern b,
Although the example in which the timing of the start of the reach operation is adjusted has been described, the timing of the start of the reach operation may be adjusted by adjusting the length of the period of another pattern.

As described above, in the case of this embodiment, the display control CPU 101 is the CPU 5 of the game control board 31.
When a display control command specifying that the reach 3 has a fluctuation time of 29.5 seconds is received from FIG.
It is determined which of the variation patterns shown in (B) and FIG. 29 (C) is used to variably display the left and right middle symbols.

If it is decided to use the variation pattern of (A), it is decided to switch the background screen to "flash" when the left and right symbols stop and reach a state. Further, when it is determined to use the variation pattern of (B), when the left and right symbols stop and reach the reach state, it is determined to switch the background screen to “aura”. When it is determined to use the variation pattern of (C), it is determined that the background screen is switched to “smoke” in the reach state.

Hereinafter, game control and display control for realizing the above-described display example will be described.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing the whole symbol change start process (S304) in the special symbol process process shown in FIG. When the change time and the stop symbol are determined in the stop symbol setting process in S302 and the reach operation setting process in S303, the transmission control of the display control command for instructing them is performed. First, it waits for the completion of the command transmission (S304a). The information of the command transmission completion is notified from the display control data output process (S6) shown in FIG.

In the case of this embodiment, the CPU 56 sends one of the variation time commands shown in FIG. 18 to the display control board 80 when the symbol variation is started. Subsequently, the left, right, and middle stop symbol commands (see FIGS. 19 to 21) indicating the left, right, and middle symbols that have been determined are sent to the display control board 80. Therefore, S304
In step a of waiting for the completion of command transmission, it is confirmed whether or not transmission of all these commands has been completed. Note that the CPU 56 may send the variable time command after sending the left, right, and middle stop symbol commands.

As a display control command, a command which can specify whether or not to perform a jackpot notice and a reach notice is transmitted, and based on the contents of the command, the display control board 80 side executes such a command. It may be determined whether or not to give an advance notice. Information that can specify whether or not to give such a notice may be included in the variable time command (a command that can specify a variable time with a notice and a command that can specify a variable time without a notice are defined. May be different from the variable time command.

When transmission of the display control command is completed, C
The PU 56 starts a fluctuation time timer for measuring the fluctuation time notified to the display control board 80 by the command (S304b). Then, the special symbol process flag is updated so as to shift to the all symbol stop waiting process of S305 (S304c).

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing the all symbol stop waiting process (S305) in the special symbol process process shown in FIG. In this process, the fluctuation time timer determines whether or not the fluctuation time has expired.
56 confirms (S305a). When the time is up,
An all symbol stop command for instructing to stop all symbols is set (S305b). Then, the display control command data transmission request flag is set (S305c), and the special symbol process flag is updated so as to shift to the big hit display process of S306 (S305d). The display control command data transmission request flag is referred to in the display control data setting process (S5) described above with reference to FIG.

As described above, in the special symbol process processing, the CPU 56 sends to the display control board 80 information that can specify the fluctuation time and information that can specify the stop symbol at the start of the fluctuation, and the fluctuation time timer When the time is up, that is, when the instructed fluctuation time is over, information for instructing stop of all symbols is sent to the display control board 80. During that time, the CPU 56 does not send a display control command to the display control board 80. Therefore, C of the game control board 31
The load required for the display control in the PU 56 is greatly reduced.

FIG. 32 shows a display control data setting process (FIG. 9).
6 is a flowchart showing S5) shown in FIG. In the display control data setting process, the CPU 56 first checks whether or not the data sending flag is set (S411). Here, the data transmission flag is a flag that is set in a display control data output process described later to indicate that the display control command is being transmitted. If the sending data flag is not set,
When the display control command data transmission request flag is set (O
N) It is confirmed whether or not it has been performed (S412). Here, the display control command data transmission request flag is a flag set by a special symbol process flag to indicate that transmission of the display control command is requested. If the display control command data transmission request flag is set, the flag is reset (S41).
3). Further, the data of the display control command to be transmitted is set in the output data storage area (S414), and the port output request flag is set (S416), and this processing ends.

Next, the display control data output processing in S6 described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing the display control data output process.

First, in S211, it is determined whether the port output request flag described above is set.
If it is determined in S211 that the port output request flag has not been set, the display control data output process ends. As a result, when there is no data of the display control command to be output, the processing related to the output of the command data is not performed. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S211 that the port output request flag has been set, the process advances to step S212 to perform processing for resetting the port output request flag.

Then, the flow advances to S 213 to perform processing for outputting the first byte of data stored in the output data storage area from the output buffer circuit 63 for outputting display control command data. The data of the first byte is output for a predetermined period. Thus, the first byte of the display control command data stored in the output data storage area is transmitted to the display control board 80.
Next, the process proceeds to S214, and a process of adding and updating the port output counter by “1” is performed. Here, the port output counter is a counter for counting the number of bytes of output data for one display control command data, and performs counting with “0” as an initial value. Next, S2
Proceeding to S15, a process is performed in which the signal INT signal is turned on (active state, that is, low level) after a predetermined ON timing of the INT signal (timing for the active state) has elapsed. This allows
The INT signal for taking in the data of the first byte is in an active state (low level). Next, the process proceeds to S216, in which processing is performed to set the data transmission flag to the ON (set) state. This indicates that the display control command data is being transmitted.

Then, the flow advances to S217, where it is determined whether the value of the port output counter is "2". That is, since the value of the port output counter becomes "1" at the time when the first byte of the display control command data is being output, it is determined here whether the first byte is being output. If the value of the port output counter is determined to be “2” in S217, the process proceeds to S2 described later.
Proceed to 18. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S217 that the value of the port output counter is not "2", the output of the first byte is being performed, and the flow advances to step S221 to display the display control signal INT.
After the predetermined OFF timing has elapsed, the display control signal INT is turned off.

Then, the flow advances to S222 to perform processing for outputting the second byte of data stored in the output data storage area from the output buffer circuit 63 for outputting display control command data. Thus, the remaining second byte of the display control command data stored in the output data storage area is transmitted to the display control board 80.
The data of the second byte is output over a predetermined period. Next, the process proceeds to S223, and a process of adding and updating the port output counter by “1” is performed. This allows
When the data of the second byte is output, the port output counter becomes “2”.

Then, the flow advances to S224, where a process of turning the INT signal ON is performed after the predetermined ON timing of the INT signal has elapsed. As a result, the INT signal for taking in the data of the second byte becomes active (low level). Thereafter, the process returns to S217. S224
If the process proceeds from step S217 to step S217, the port output counter is "2", and the process proceeds from step S217 to step S218.

In S218, a process of clearing the port output counter is performed. Next, proceed to S219,
After the predetermined OFF timing of the INT signal has elapsed, a process of turning the INT signal into the OFF state is performed.
After that, the process proceeds to S220, and waits until the output of the display control command data of the second byte is stopped, and then the process of turning off the data transmission flag is performed. Thus, the output processing of one display control command data is completed, and the next display control command data can be output.

In such display command output processing, although not shown, the timing at which each step is executed is managed according to a predetermined time schedule. Thereby, as for the display control command data, as shown in FIG. 23, 2 bytes of data are output within 2 ms.

As described above, in the display control data output processing, the data stored in the output command data storage area is sequentially output one byte at a time in response to the port output request, so that the data of the display control command is output. Output.

Next, the operation of the display control CPU 101 will be described. FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing the main processing of the display control CPU 101. In the main process, the display control CPU 101 first initializes the RAM, the I / O port, the VDP 103, and the like (S701). Then, display control is performed so that a demonstration screen appears on the variable display unit 9 (S702). Thereafter, the display random number updating process (the update process of the random counter for generating the display random number) is repeatedly executed (S703).

FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram showing display random numbers handled by the display control CPU 101. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG.
In this embodiment, as the display random numbers updated in S703, the reach display mode determination random number (RS1), the reach announcement random number (RS2), and the jackpot announcement random number (R
S3). The reach display mode determination random numbers are shown in FIGS. 26 to 26 for each reach specified by the display control command.
This is for determining a variation pattern as shown in FIG. 29, and is repeatedly updated in a numerical range of 0 to 29, and is extracted when a predetermined extraction condition is satisfied. The reach announcement random number is used to determine whether or not to perform the reach announcement, and is repeatedly updated in a numerical range of 0 to 7 and is extracted when a predetermined extraction condition is satisfied. The jackpot random number is used to determine whether or not to perform the jackpot announcement, and is repeatedly updated in a numerical range of 0 to 2 and is extracted when a predetermined extraction condition is satisfied.

FIG. 36 shows the relationship between the extracted reach display mode determining random numbers and the reach display mode (fluctuation pattern) (FIG. 36 (A)), and the relationship between the extracted reach preview random numbers and the reach preview (FIG. 36A). 36 (B)) is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the extracted jackpot notice random numbers and the jackpot notice (FIG. 36 (C)).

In FIG. 36A, A, B, and C correspond to (A), (B), and (C) in FIGS. That is, if the value of the extracted reach display mode determination random number is a value shown in the upper row, the CPU for display control
101 determines that the symbol is to be changed in the change pattern (reach display mode) shown in the lower part. For example,
2 according to the display control command received from the game control board 31.
The case of the big hit is notified by the fluctuation in the reach 3 of 9.5 seconds, and the value of the extracted reach display mode determination random number is 2
If it is 1, it is determined that the fluctuation is performed in the fluctuation pattern shown in FIG. In this case, the determination as to whether or not to make a big hit may be made based on any of the fluctuating time command and the left, middle, and right stop symbol commands.

Referring to FIG. 36 (B), display control CPU 101 extracts a reach notification random number based on the received display control command, and performs reach notification 1 based on the extracted value. It is determined by lottery whether to perform reach notice 2 or not to reach reach.
If the display control command instructs to reach, in the lottery, if the extracted value is any of 0 to 3, it is determined that the reach announcement is not to be performed, and if the extracted value is 4 or 5, If the extracted value is 6 or 7, for example, it is determined to perform the reach announcement in the form of the reach announcement 2. Such a determination is made using data called a reach time table which indicates the relationship between the extracted value at the time of reach and the reach notice mode as shown in the figure. On the other hand, if it is instructed not to reach by the display control command (other than at the time of the reach), it is determined that the reach announcement is not performed if the extracted value is any of 0 to 6 in the lottery. If the extracted value is 7, it is determined that the reach announcement is performed in the manner of the reach announcement 1. Such a determination is made using data called a non-reach time table that indicates the relationship between the extracted value and the reach announcement mode at times other than the reach time as shown in the figure.

Further, referring to FIG. 36 (C), display control CPU 101 extracts a random number for jackpot notice based on the received display control command, and based on the extracted value,
One of the big hit notice 1, the big hit notice 2 and the big hit notice is determined by lottery. In the lottery, when it is instructed to make a big hit by a display control command, it is determined that the big hit notice is not displayed if the extracted value is 0, and the big hit notice 1 is set if the extracted value is 2. It is determined that the jackpot announcement display is to be performed, and if the extracted value is 3, it is determined that the jackpot announcement display is performed in the mode of the jackpot announcement 2. Such a decision
This is performed using data called a big hit table which shows the relationship between the extracted value at the time of big hit and the big hit notice mode as shown in the figure. On the other hand, in the lottery, when the display control command instructs not to make a big hit (at the time of a loss), it is determined that the big hit notice is not displayed if the extracted value is either 0 or 1. If the extracted value is 2, it is determined that the jackpot notice is displayed in the jackpot notice 1 mode. Such a determination is made using data called an out-of-office table which indicates the relationship between the extracted value at the out-of-office and the jackpot notice mode as shown in the figure.

Here, the advance notice display includes a big hit advance notice display (big hit advance notice mode), a reach advance notice display (reach advance notice display mode), and the advance notice display may be a small hit advance notice or a middle hit advance notice. Further, a display for giving a notice such as a probable change big hit notice or a super reach notice may be used. Further, the notice display may be such that the reach is always achieved if the reach is announced as in the above-described reach notice 2 or the display that gives a false notice when the reach is not reached as in the case of the reach 1 described above. . The reach announcement is made based on whether to reach or not, and the jackpot announcement is made based on whether to make a big hit or not.

[0207] Specifically, whether or not to make a reach announcement is basically made based on whether or not to reach. That is, whether or not to perform the reach announcement is determined according to whether or not the display control command specifies that the reach display mode (including both the reach reach and the reach hit) is specified. Note that even when the command indicates that the display is to be in the reach display mode (in the case of the reach), the reach notification may not be performed at a fixed rate. Even when the reach is specified (when the reach is not set), the reach announcement may be performed at a fixed rate.

Whether or not to give a big hit notice is basically made based on whether or not a big hit is made. Specifically, it is determined according to whether or not the display control command specifies the jackpot display mode. In addition, even if it is specified by the command that the jackpot display mode is set (a jackpot),
The jackpot announcement may not be performed at a fixed rate, and even if it is specified by the command that the jackpot display mode is not set (when the jackpot is not determined),
The jackpot notice may be given at a fixed rate. The conditions for establishing these notices are the variable time command and the left,
The determination may be made by referring to both the middle and right stop symbol commands.

[0209] In this example, it is determined whether or not to make a reach announcement based on whether or not to reach, and whether or not to give a big hit notice based on whether or not to make a big hit. Although shown, a notice that includes both the reach and the jackpot may be given as the notice target. A case is divided into a case of a big hit and a case of a miss, and a plurality of types of predetermined notices including both a reach notice and a big hit notice are made by classifying whether to reach or not to reach in the case of a miss. You may do so. That is, whether or not to give the predetermined notice may be determined based on both the determination as to whether or not to reach and the determination as to whether to make a big hit.

In this embodiment, actual fluctuation control and the like are performed by a timer interrupt process. The timer interrupt occurs, for example, every 2 ms. FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing the timer interrupt processing. As shown in FIG. 37, in the timer interrupt processing, the display control CPU 101
The display control process is executed (S701). In the display control process, display control is performed according to the value of the display control process flag.

[0211] The display control command from the game control board 31 is received by the display control CPU 101 through an IRQ2 interrupt. FIG. 38 shows the IRQ of the display control CPU 101.
It is a flowchart which shows a 2 interruption process. In the IRQ2 interrupt processing, the display control CPU 101 first checks whether the data receiving flag is set (S601). If not set, this interrupt is an interrupt caused by the transmission of the first byte of display control data in the display control command data. Therefore, the pointer is cleared (S602), and the data receiving flag is set (S603). Then, control goes to a step S604. Here, the pointer indicates which byte in the display control command data storage area in the RAM incorporated in the display control CPU 101 stores the received data.

When the data receiving flag is set and the INT signal is turned off (S604), the display control CPU 101 inputs data from the input port and is indicated by the pointer in the display control command data storage area. The input data is stored in the address (S6
05).

The display control CPU 101 increments the value of the pointer by one (S606). If the value of the pointer has become 2 (S607), it means that the reception of the display control command data composed of 2 bytes has been completed, so that the data reception completion flag is set, and the data reception flag is set. Is reset (S608, S
609). Through the above processing, the display control board 80 receives the 2-byte display control data CMD1 and CMD2.

FIG. 39 shows a display control process in the timer interrupt process shown in FIG. 37 (step S711).
It is a flowchart which shows. In the display control process, S720 and S720 are performed according to the value of the display control process flag.
Any one of 750, S780, S810, S840, and S870 is performed. In each process,
The following processing is executed.

Display control command reception waiting processing (S72)
At 0), it is confirmed whether or not a variable time command has been received by the IRQ2 interrupt processing. Reach operation setting processing (S
750), when displaying the reach state, FIG.
It is determined which of the variation patterns shown in FIG. 29 is to be used. In the reach operation setting process,
Further, it is determined whether or not to perform the reach announcement and the jackpot announcement, respectively, and when it is decided to perform the announcement, the type of the announcement is determined. In the all symbol variation start process (S780), control is performed so that the variation of the left middle right symbol is started. In the process during symbol change (S810), each change state (change speed, character,
The switching timing of the background is controlled, and the end of the fluctuation time is monitored. Also, stop control of the left and right symbols is performed. In the all symbol stop waiting process (S840), when the all symbol stop command has been received at the end of the variable time, the control of stopping the symbol change and displaying the final stopped symbol (fixed symbol) is performed. In the big hit display process (S870), after the variable display control time ends, the control of the positive change big hit display or the normal big hit display is performed.

FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing the display control command reception waiting process (S720). In the display control command reception waiting process, the display control CPU 101
First, it is determined whether or not the command non-reception timer has timed out (S721). Here, the command non-reception timer is set to time out when a display control command indicating a symbol change is not received from the game control board 31 for a predetermined period or more. When the command non-reception timer times out, the display control CPU 101 performs control to display a demonstration screen on the variable display unit 9 (S722).

If the command non-reception timer has not timed out, the display control CPU 101 checks whether a display control command (specifically, a fluctuation time command) capable of specifying a fluctuation time has been received (S723). . In the buffer that has received the variable time command, the value of the display control process flag is changed to a value corresponding to the reach operation setting process (S750) (S724).

At this stage, the display control commands transmitted from the game control board 31 to the display control board 80 are a variable time command and left, middle, and right stop symbol commands.
These are stored in the display control data storage area described above (see S605 in FIG. 38). Hereinafter, the stop symbol specified by the stop symbol command is referred to as a temporary stop symbol.

FIG. 41 shows a reach operation setting process (S75).
It is a flowchart which shows 0). In the reach operation setting process, the display control CPU 101 first determines whether or not to perform the reach announcement by the reach announcement determination process (see FIG. 42) (S751). Next, based on the received fluctuation time command, it is determined whether or not the fluctuation display indicated by the command is out of reach (S752). Specifically, the case where the command of the normal deviation or the all symbol variation at the time of the probability change shown in FIG. 18 is received corresponds to the deviation in S752.

If it is a loss, it is checked whether the left and right temporary stop symbols are different (S753).
If they match, the right stop symbol is shifted by one symbol (S754). Then, the left middle right temporary stop symbol is stored (stored) in a predetermined storage area (S755). Further, 7.9 seconds is set as the timeout time in the monitoring timer (S756). Here, the monitoring timer is a timer for monitoring the fluctuation time. Set here 7.
9 seconds is a value that has a margin with respect to 7.8 seconds, which is the fluctuation time at the time of a loss. If all symbol stop commands are not received before the monitoring timer times out,
A predetermined process is performed.

In S752, if it is not a loss,
That is, if any of 8002H to 8016 shown in FIG. 18 has been received, it is checked whether the left and right temporary stop symbols are the same (S757). If the temporary stop symbols are different, the right temporary stop symbol is made the same as the left temporary stop symbol (S758). Then, the temporary stop symbol in the middle left is stored in a predetermined area (S759). The display control CPU 101 sets a value obtained by adding 0.1 second to the fluctuation time specified by the fluctuation time command to the monitoring timer (S
760). Then, the reach variation mode (display mode) is determined by the reach display mode determination process (see FIG. 43) (S761). Then, it is determined whether or not to perform the jackpot notice by the jackpot notice determination process (see FIG. 44) (S762).

As described above, in this embodiment, when starting the variable display (variable display), the display control CPU 101 determines the type of variation such as the reach specified by the received variable time command and the received variable. Inconsistent with the symbol specified by the left, middle, right stop symbol command (for example, the stop symbol by the left, middle, right stop symbol command satisfies the reach condition, even though the variable time command specifies reach) If not, the temporary stop symbol is corrected. Therefore, even if an error occurs in the left middle right temporary stop symbol designated by the stop symbol command for some reason, the error is corrected. The error is, for example, a case where a noise occurs on a signal cable from the game control board 31 to the display control board 80 and a bit error occurs in the command. As a result, it is possible to prevent the display of the fixed symbol inconsistent with the loss / reach determined by the game control board 31 side.

Furthermore, when the variation time is made different between the case with and without the re-variation, and the variation pattern for performing the re-variation is configured to be determined by the determined symbol, the command received from the game control board 31 is Indicate that there is a change,
When the stop symbol received from the game control board 31 is not a positively-variable symbol, the symbol to be displayed by the display control CPU 101 may be corrected to a positively-variable symbol. For example, from the game control board 31, "seven" as a stop symbol,
When a command indicating “six” or “seven” is received,
Correct to "Seven", "Seven", "Seven".

After the above-described S756 or S762, the display control CPU 101 executes a process corresponding to the selected variation pattern from among a plurality of types of process tables stored in the control data ROM 102 in order to realize a plurality of variation patterns. It is determined to use the table (S763). In each process table, each variation state (variation speed, variation period at that speed, and the like) in the variation pattern is set. Then, the display control CPU 10
No. 1 changes the value of the display control process flag to a value corresponding to the all symbol change start process (S780) (S764).

FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing the reach announcement determination processing in S751 described above. In the reach announcement process, first, it is confirmed whether or not the reach announcement lottery condition is satisfied (S751a). Here, the reach announcement lottery condition is that the variation content instructed by the display control command corresponds to a hit or a reach within ± 2 frames deviation or a normal deviation, and is confirmed based on the variation time command.

When the reach announcement lottery condition is not satisfied, the reach announcement determination processing ends. On the other hand, if the reach announcement lottery condition is satisfied, the reach announcement random number is extracted (S751b). Then, based on the received fluctuating time command, it is confirmed whether to reach or reach (other than normal) (S751).
c). In the case of reach, the reach announcement mode (including no reach announcement) corresponding to the extracted value in S751b is determined using the reach time table (reach time table data shown in FIG. 36B). (S751
e). On the other hand, in the case of other than the reach, the reach announcement mode corresponding to the extracted value in S751b (with no reach announcement) using the table other than the reach time (table data other than the reach time shown in FIG. 36B). Is also determined (S751d).

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 42, in the process of determining whether or not to perform the reach announcement, first, it is determined that the reach announcement lottery condition is satisfied, and the reach announcement lottery condition is satisfied. Only when this is done, the case where a random number for reach notification is extracted and whether or not to perform reach notification is determined based on the value is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The reach announcement random number is always extracted and the reach announcement is made based on the value when the fluctuation display is performed without performing the determination of the reach announcement lottery condition as described in S751a. It may be determined whether or not. Specifically, S751a may be omitted in the reach announcement determination process of FIG. That is, whether or not the first-stage reach announcement is performed by the display control command performed based on whether or not the reach announcement lottery condition is satisfied may or may not be performed.

Next, as a result of the determination in S751e or S751d, it is confirmed whether or not a reach announcement is made (S751e).
751f). If the reach announcement is not performed, the reach announcement determination process ends. On the other hand, when the reach announcement is performed, the reach announcement start time determination timer is started (S751g), and then the reach announcement determination processing ends. Here, the reach announcement start time determination timer is a timer that determines the time from the start of the symbol change to the occurrence of the reach announcement.

FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing the reach display mode determination processing in S761 described above. In the reach display mode determination process, the display control CPU 101 first extracts a reach display mode determination random number (S761).
a). Then, the reach display mode corresponding to the extracted value is determined using the table shown in FIG. 35 (S761).
b). Thereafter, the reach display mode determination processing ends.

FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing the jackpot announcement determination processing in S762 described above. In the jackpot announcement process, first, it is confirmed whether or not the jackpot announcement lottery condition is satisfied (S762a). Here, the jackpot announcement lottery condition is that the variation content instructed by the display control command corresponds to a hit or a reach within ± 2 frames, and is confirmed based on the variation time command.

If the jackpot announcement lottery condition is not satisfied, the jackpot announcement determination processing ends. On the other hand, if the jackpot announcement lottery condition is satisfied, a jackpot announcement random number is extracted (S762b). Then, based on the received fluctuating time command, it is confirmed whether a big hit or a big hit is made (S762c). In the case of a jackpot, a jackpot notice mode (including no jackpot notice) corresponding to the value extracted in S762b is obtained using a jackpot table (table data for the jackpot shown in FIG. 36C). It is determined (S762e). On the other hand, in the case of the out-of-position, using the out-of-office table (the out-of-office table data shown in FIG.
A jackpot notice mode (including no jackpot notice) corresponding to the extracted value according to 2b is determined (S762d).

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 44, in the process of determining whether or not to make a jackpot notice, it is first determined that the jackpot notice lottery condition is satisfied, and the jackpot notice lottery condition is determined. Only when is established, the random number for jackpot notice is extracted, and it is determined whether or not to perform the jackpot notice based on the value. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and without determining whether the jackpot prediction lottery conditions are satisfied as described in S762a, the random number for the jackpot notification is always extracted when the variable display is performed, and the jackpot announcement is performed based on the value. It may be determined whether or not. Specifically, S762a may be omitted in the big hit notice determination processing of FIG. That is, whether or not to execute the first-stage big-hit notification by the display control command based on whether or not the big-hit-prize lottery condition is satisfied may or may not be performed.

Next, as a result of the determination in S762e or S762d, it is confirmed whether or not a big hit notice is given (S72).
762f). If the jackpot announcement is not performed, the jackpot announcement determination processing ends. On the other hand, when the big hit notice is performed, the big hit notice start time determination timer is started (S762g), and then the big hit notice determination processing ends. Here, the big hit notice start time determination timer is set to the big hit notice 1
Is a timer for determining a time until display of the aspect is started.

FIG. 45 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the process table. In the process table corresponding to each variation pattern, the variation speed, the variation time at that speed, the switching timing of the background and the character, and the like are set in chronological order. Also, a process timer value for determining a fluctuation period at a certain speed is set. Each process table is composed of a plurality of 3-byte process data.

For example, in the process table corresponding to the variation pattern shown in FIG. 27 (A), the first process data (3 bytes) includes the left and right middle symbols varying at a low speed and the next display state switching. A process timer value indicating the time until the timing is set. The first fluctuation is a fluctuation (acceleration) due to the pattern a, and the low-speed fluctuation should be started first.

Next, changing the left symbol at a medium speed,
A process timer value indicating the time until the next display state switching timing is set. Next, the right symbol is changed at a medium speed, and a process timer value indicating the time until the next display state switching timing is set.
In addition, a middle symbol is changed at a medium speed, and a process timer value indicating a time until the next display state switching timing is set. Thereafter, how to switch the display state and a process timer value indicating the time until the next display state switching timing are sequentially set.

Note that the display state switching timing is a timing at which one of the left and right middle symbols is changed, and further includes a timing at which the background and the character are switched and a timing at which the symbols are to be replaced.

Therefore, the display control CPU 101 can know that some display state has to be changed by the expiration of the process timer. The display state to be changed can be known from the set value of the third byte of the next process data in the process table.

For example, in a variation pattern including frame advance as shown in FIG. 27C, each period constituting the variation pattern is variable according to the number of frames to be transmitted. Therefore, each process table corresponding to the number of frames to be sent is prepared. At the start of the change, the display control CPU 101
If it is decided to use the variation pattern including the frame advance as shown in FIG. 7 (C), the number of frames to be advanced is calculated from the temporarily stopped symbols. Then, in S763 described above, it is determined to use a process table corresponding to the number of frames to be sent. If each process table corresponding to the number of frames to be sent is prepared, even if each period constituting the fluctuation pattern is variable, the process timer value set in the process table and the set value of the third byte are set. Thus, the variable display control can be easily performed.

FIG. 46 is a flow chart showing the start of all symbol change processing (S78).
It is a flowchart which shows 0). In the all-symbol variation start process, the display control CPU 101 starts the timer with the process timer value set first in the process table determined to be used (S78).
1). In addition, based on the data indicating the change state set in the third byte, the pattern change control and the background and character display control are started (S782). Then, the value of the display control process flag is changed during the symbol change process (S810).
(S783).

FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing the symbol change processing (S810). In the process during symbol fluctuation,
The display control CPU 101 checks whether or not the reach notification start time determination timer has timed out (S81).
1). If the time-out has occurred, the VDP1 is displayed so that the display according to the already determined reach announcement mode is performed.
03 is controlled (S812). In addition, it is confirmed whether or not the big hit notice start time determination timer has timed out (S813). If timed out, big hit notice 1
The VDP 103 is controlled so that the display according to the above mode is performed (S814).

If it is determined that the notice based on the big hit notice 2 is to be given (S815), the big hit notice 2 start timer is started (S81).
6). In this embodiment, since the jackpot notice 2 is a development of the jackpot notice 1, the notice by the jackpot notice 2 is given a predetermined time after the notice by the jackpot notice 1 is given (the timer for starting the jackpot notice 2 start time). Till the timeout).

The display control CPU 101 confirms whether or not the big hit notice 2 start time determination timer has timed out (S817). If the time-out has occurred, the VDP is displayed so that the display according to the jackpot notice 2 is performed.
103 is controlled (S818).

Next, the display control CPU 101 checks whether or not the process timer has timed out (S8).
19). If the process timer times out,
The pointer indicating the data in the process table is incremented by +3 (S820). Then, it is confirmed whether or not the data in the area pointed to by the pointer is an end code (S821). If it is not an end code, 3 of the process data pointed to by the pointer
Based on the data indicating the fluctuation state set in the byte, the pattern fluctuation control, the display control of the background and the character are changed (S822), and the timer is set in accordance with the process timer value set in the first and second bytes. It is started (S823).

If it is the end code in S821, the value of the display control process flag is set to the all symbol stop wait processing (S84).
0) (S824), and the symbol change processing ends.

FIG. 48 shows an all symbol stop waiting process (S84).
It is a flowchart which shows 0). In the all symbol stop waiting process, the display control CPU 101 confirms whether or not an all symbol stop command has been received (S841). If the all symbol stop command has been received, control is performed to stop the symbol with the stored temporary stop symbol and display the fixed symbol (S842). Then, a command non-reception timer is started to monitor the time until the next display control command is received (S843).

On the other hand, if the all symbol stop command has not been received, it is confirmed whether or not the monitoring timer has timed out (S845). If a timeout occurs, it is determined that some abnormality has occurred, and the variable display unit 9 is determined.
(S846), and the process for waiting for all symbols to stop is completed.

After performing the processing of S843, the display control CPU 101 sets the value of the display control process flag to a value corresponding to the big hit display processing (S870) (S84).
4). Thereafter, the all symbol stop waiting process ends.

FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing the jackpot display process (S870). In the jackpot display process,
The display control CPU 101 can determine whether or not it is a probability change big hit based on the confirmed symbol. If the jackpot is a probability jackpot, the display control CPU 101 performs display control to cause the variable display unit 9 to display, for example, an image indicating “the jackpot” (S872). Specifically, the VDP 103 is notified of an instruction to display an image indicating a “probable change big hit”. Then
The VDP 103 creates image data of the indicated display. If it is not a probability change jackpot, the display control CPU 101
Performs display control to display an image indicating "big hit" on the variable display unit 9 (S873).

Thereafter, in the big hit display processing, the display control of the variable display section 9 is performed according to the display control command in the big hit game state sent from the game control board 31. For example, the display of the number of rounds (the number of continuations of the repetition continuation control) is performed. When a display control command indicating the end of the big hit game is received from the game control board 31 (S
874), and sets the value of the display control process flag to a value corresponding to the display control command waiting process (S720) (S8).
75), the big hit display process ends.

The main specific effects obtained by this embodiment will be listed below. As described above, in this embodiment, the CP of the basic circuit 53 in the game control board 31
U56 gives a fluctuation time command capable of specifying a symbol fluctuation time and a stop symbol command capable of specifying a symbol determination mode from the game control board 31 to the display control board 80, and the display control CPU 101 of the display control board 80. Controls the background, character display, notice display, and the like. In other words, if the fluctuating time command and the stop symbol command are selected, the display control board 80 can considerably determine the display control decision items, and the game control board 31 side instructs the display control board 80 side in detail. You don't have to. Therefore, even if the display content becomes complicated, the number of display control commands sent from the game control board 31 to the display control board 80 for one variable display is reduced.

Then, at the end of the fluctuation time, an all symbol stop command indicating all symbol stop is given from the game control board 31 to the display control board 80, and the stop symbol is determined according to the command. Therefore, the symbol displayed in a variable manner is definitely determined at the timing managed by the basic circuit 53.

In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 25 and the like, a fluctuating time command and a stop symbol command are transmitted from the game control board 31 at a time related to the start of the symbol fluctuating. The display control CPU 101 independently performs control for determining a variation pattern, control for replacing symbols, and the like. Therefore, the variable display unit 9
That is, a considerable part of the display control is performed on the display control board 80 side. In such a case, since the game control board 31 cannot recognize a specific pattern change pattern, if no countermeasure is taken, the change which is different from the change time determined by the game control board 31 is variable. There is a possibility that the processing is performed on the display unit 9. However, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The side is configured to transmit an all symbol stop command to the display control board 80 when the determined fluctuation time ends. Therefore, based on the all symbol stop command, the symbol can be definitely displayed at the end of the fluctuation time determined by the game control board 31 side. In addition, S in FIG.
As indicated by 846, when all symbol stop commands cannot be received at the correct timing, an error display is performed, so that a player or a clerk can immediately recognize that an error has occurred in command communication. .

As shown in FIG. 43, when the reach control is performed on the display control CPU 101 based on the display control command received from the game control board 31, the variation pattern (display mode) at the time of the reach is displayed. The display is determined according to the determination. For this reason, the basic circuit 53 does not need to perform a process of determining a specific fluctuation pattern at the time of the reach.
The processing load related to display control in the PU 56 can be reduced.

As shown in FIGS. 25 to 29,
Since the display mode of the character is determined according to the change pattern, the display control CPU 101 determines whether or not to display the character on the variable display unit 9 during the change of the symbol based on the display control command received from the game control board 31. Is determined, and when the character is to be displayed, the type of the character is also determined. Therefore, the basic circuit 5
On the third side, the character display control performed by the display control CPU 101 need not be performed.
The processing load related to display control in the PU 56 can be reduced.

FIG. 42 (particularly, S751c to S75
As shown in 1e), the display control CPU 101 determines whether or not to perform the reach announcement and performs the reach announcement based on a predetermined command among the display control commands received from the game control board 31. In this case, the reach announcement mode is determined. Therefore, the basic circuit 5
The display control CPU 101 does not need to perform the display control on the display of the reach notice performed by the display control CPU 101, so that the processing load on the display control in the CPU 56 of the basic circuit 53 can be reduced. In addition, it is determined whether or not to perform the reach announcement display in accordance with the variable time command, which is a command that can specify items closely related to the variable display content of the symbol, which is the symbol variable time, so that it is determined according to the variable display content. Reach announcement can be made. When the reach announcement is performed in this way, it is possible to give the player a sense of expectation for the occurrence of the reach, and it is possible to improve the interest of the game.

FIG. 44 (particularly, S762c-S76
As shown in 2e), the display control CPU 101 determines whether or not to perform the jackpot notice based on the display control command received from the game control board 31, and determines the jackpot notice mode when performing the jackpot notice. do.
Therefore, in the basic circuit 53 side, the display control CPU 10
Since the display control related to the display of the big hit notice performed in step 1 need not be performed, the processing load related to the display control in the CPU 56 of the basic circuit 53 can be reduced. In addition, it is determined whether or not to display the jackpot notice in accordance with the variable time command, which is a command that can specify items closely related to the variable display content of the symbol, such as the symbol variable time, so that it is determined according to the variable display content. You can give a jackpot notice. When the big hit notice is given in this way, it is possible to give the player a sense of expectation for the occurrence of the big hit, and to improve the interest of the game.

FIGS. 16 and 17 and FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 9, the above-mentioned reach announcement and jackpot announcement are performed by characters.
Interesting display is improved by linking the notice with the character, and the interest of the game can be improved. In addition, by performing a notice display using a character peculiar to the effect, it is possible to draw the player's attention, and it is possible to impressively notify the player that the notice is being given.

As shown in FIGS. 26 to 29,
Since the display mode of the background image is determined according to the fluctuation pattern, the display control CPU 101 determines the display content of the background image according to the display control command received from the game control board 31. Therefore, the basic circuit 53 does not need to perform the display control on the display of the background image performed by the display control CPU 101 on the display of the background image, so that the processing load on the display control of the CPU 56 of the basic circuit 53 can be reduced. it can.

The display control CPU 101 operates as shown in FIG.
As described in (A), the temporary stop symbol at the time of the re-variation control is calculated backward from the final stop symbol, and is determined independently, so that the display control CPU 101 determines the temporary stop symbol at the time of the re-variation. The circuit 53 does not need to perform a process for determining a symbol temporarily stopped at the time of re-fluctuation (a symbol before the start of re-fluctuation), so that the processing load on display control in the CPU 56 of the basic circuit 53 can be reduced. .

The display control CPU 101 operates as shown in FIG.
As described above, when the symbols are replaced, the design of the replacement destination is determined independently by the display control CPU 101 in order to determine the design of the replacement destination during the design replacement control. The side does not need to perform the processing for determining the symbol to replace at the time of the symbol replacement control, so that the processing load on the display control in the CPU 56 of the basic circuit 53 can be reduced.

The display control CPU 101 operates as shown in FIG.
At the time of replacement of symbols such as, the replacement timing and the symbol of the replacement destination are determined independently based on the variation time and variation pattern specified by the variation time command and the final stop symbol specified by the stop symbol command. As described above, since the replacement timing and the symbol of the replacement destination at the time of the symbol replacement control are determined on the display control CPU 101 side, the replacement timing and the replacement destination at the time of the symbol replacement control are determined at the basic circuit 53 side. Since it is not necessary to perform the processing for determining the symbols, the basic circuit 53
Of the display control in the CPU 56 can be reduced.

As shown in FIG. 36, the jackpot notice includes a plurality of kinds of notice modes different in the likelihood of hitting the jackpot, and when making a notice, a notice form selected from the plurality of kinds of notice modes is used. Can be For this reason, by providing a plurality of types of notice modes, for example, when a notice mode that is likely to be a big hit is displayed, it is possible to enhance the sense of expectation of the player. While being able to do it, the interest of the game can be improved.

As shown in FIG. 36, there are a plurality of types of advance notices in which reach is different from each other, and when an advance notice is given, a notice mode selected from the plurality of advance notice modes is used. Can be For this reason, by providing a plurality of types of notice modes, for example, it is possible to excite the player's expectation when a notice mode that is likely to reach is displayed, it is possible to improve the fun of the display by the reach notice. While being able to do it, the interest of the game can be improved.

As shown in FIGS. 25 to 29 and the like, when an undecided symbol is displayed, it is displayed by a swing operation. As described above, since the player is not stationary and swings, the player can easily recognize that the symbol is not fixed.

Also, as described with reference to FIG. 5, between the game control board 31 and the display control board 80, information can be transmitted in only one direction from the game control board 31 to the display control board 80. Therefore, it is possible to prevent an illegal signal from being input from the display control board 80 to the game control board 31 to perform an illegal control operation.

As described with reference to FIG. 5, the game control board 31 is the same as the game control board 31 of the game control board 31.
Output buffer circuit (output driver) 63 as irreversible output means for transmitting information only in one direction from the display control board 80 to the game control board 31 and the game control board 31 and the display control board. Utilizing the communication portion with 80, the game control board 31 itself can prevent an illegal signal from being input to the game control board 31 and performing an illegal control operation.

As described with reference to FIG. 5, the display control board 80 is
Input buffer circuit 105 (input buffer 105) as irreversible input means for transmitting information only in one direction to
a), the input buffer circuit 105 uses the communication portion between the game control board 31 and the display control board 80 to input an incorrect signal to the game control board 31 to perform an incorrect control operation. Is performed on the display control board 80 side.

The C of the basic circuit 53 described above
As a result of reducing the processing load on the display control in the PU 56, it is possible to increase the time for the CPU 56 to perform the original game control.

As shown in FIG. 40, the basic circuit of the game control board 31 is used to monitor the timer for a condition that the symbol is fluctuated and displayed for not less than a predetermined period of time. There is no need to monitor on the 53 side that the condition for changing and displaying the symbols does not hold for a predetermined period or more. Accordingly, this allows the CPU 5 of the basic circuit 53
6 can reduce the processing load related to the display control.

In this embodiment, by combining the structures for obtaining the various effects described above as appropriate, more specific effects can be obtained by the combination of the structures.

In the above-described embodiment, the game control board 31 supplies the display control board 80 with information capable of specifying the change time (information on the change time indicated by the change time command).
As an example, an example has been shown in which information indicating one entire fluctuation period is transmitted. However, one fluctuation period is divided into multiple sections,
Pattern information in each section may be transmitted to the display control board 80 at the start of each section. In that case,
The display control CPU 101 may select a plurality of variation patterns in the period from the pattern information received for each section.

FIG. 50 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which one symbol change is divided into a plurality of sections. For example, as shown in FIG. 50, one symbol variation is classified into a variation A portion, a variation B portion, and a variation C portion. Then, the basic circuit 53 of the game control board 31 first transmits a display control command of the pattern of the variation A portion and the temporary stop symbol to the display control board 80 when the variation of the special symbol is started. Further, at a predetermined timing, a display control command of a final stop symbol (fixed stop symbol) and a display control command including a pattern of the variation B portion and the variation C portion are transmitted. Therefore, the display control CPU 101 can specify the fluctuation period from the display control command that specifies the fluctuation A, the fluctuation B, and the fluctuation C (the fluctuation B and the fluctuation C). Also, a display control CPU
When receiving a display control command designating the variation A, the variation B, and the variation C, the 101 performs variation speed switching control in each pattern, and also performs background and character display control.

FIG. 51 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the relationship between the display control command and the variation mode. The example shown in FIG.
This is an example in which a plurality of variation patterns are prepared corresponding to one variation section, and the display control CPU 101 is configured to select the variation pattern. In FIG. 51, A11,
A12, B10 to B14, C11, and C12 indicate display control commands, respectively. Commands B10 to B14 are:
These commands indicate different fluctuation times. Commands C11 and C12 are commands indicating different fluctuation times.

For example, in the case of reach, the basic circuit 53 of the game control board 31 always transmits the command A11 before the start of the change. B14 is transmitted. Upon receiving the command B13, the display control CPU 101 selects one of the two types of variation patterns and performs display control to realize the variation pattern. Similar selection processing is performed also when command B14 is received. When the command C11 is received, one of two types of variation patterns is selected and display control for realizing the variation patterns is performed.

With such processing, in the example shown in FIG. 51, in the case of reach, six kinds of variation patterns (A) to (F) can be realized. Note that for the variation patterns (A) to (C), the basic circuit 53
At the end of the variation B section, a command to stop all symbols is transmitted to the display control board 80. In addition, the fluctuation pattern (D) ~
Regarding (F), the basic circuit 53 transmits a command indicating stop of all symbols to the display control board 80 at the end of the variation C section.

As described above, even when one symbol variation is divided into a plurality of sections, the basic circuit 53 transmits the display control command including the pattern of the variation A portion and the temporary stop symbol, and thereafter, the variation B It is only necessary to send a display control command for only the pattern of the section and the variation C section and the final stop symbol. Therefore, similarly to the case of transmitting the display control command as described above, the processing load on the display control in the CPU 56 of the basic circuit 53 can be reduced.

A plurality of variation patterns may be prepared corresponding to one variation section, and the display control CPU 101 may select the variation pattern as appropriate. By doing so, the CPU 56 of the basic circuit 53 only needs to manage a small number of types of fluctuation times,
The processing load related to display control in the PU 56 can be reduced.

Second Embodiment Next, a second embodiment will be described. In the above-described first embodiment, an example in which the reach announcement and the big hit announcement are performed using the characters has been described. In the second embodiment, an example in which the reach announcement and the big hit announcement are performed using the background will be described. In the second embodiment, portions different from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

FIG. 52 is a timing chart showing an example of a pattern fluctuation pattern in the case where the fluctuation type according to the second embodiment is reach (including both the case of a big hit and the case of no big hit). FIG. 52 corresponds to FIG. 26B of the first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 52, the jackpot announcement is made earlier than the reach announcement. Note that the jackpot announcement may be performed at a later timing than the reach announcement, as in the case of the first embodiment.

If it is determined to perform the jackpot notice 1, the background color at the display timing of the jackpot notice 1 is different from the normal (other than the notice) background color for the notice. Is changed to the background color 1 at the time of the jackpot notice. If it is determined that the jackpot notice 2 is to be given, the background color at the time of the jackpot notice 2 is the jackpot notice background color which is a second background color for the notice different from the normal background color. It is changed to 2. Here, the background color 1 at the time of the jackpot notice and the background color 2 at the time of the jackpot notice are set to different colors, so that the player can easily recognize the switching from the jackpot notice 1 to the jackpot notice 2. Can be.

If it is determined that the reach announcement 1 is to be performed, the background color is the third background color for the advance notice that is different from the normal background color at the reach announcement display timing. The background color is changed to 1. When it is determined that the reach notice 2 is to be performed, at the display timing of the reach notice 2, the background color is a fourth background color for notice different from the normal background color at the time of reach notice. It is changed to 2. Here, the background color 1 at the time of the advance notice and the background color 2 at the time of the advance notice are set to different colors, so that the switching can be recognized by the player. In addition, the background color 1 and 2 at the time of reach notice
Are set to colors different from the background colors 1 and 2 at the time of the jackpot notice, thereby enabling the player to easily distinguish and recognize the reach notice and the jackpot notice.

The reach announcement and the jackpot announcement described above can be executed by changing the display process relating to the reach announcement and the jackpot announcement in the first embodiment from the announcement display by the character to the announcement display by the background. .

As described above, if the reach announcement and the jackpot announcement are performed by changing the background display mode, the preview display using the background image different from the special symbol is performed.
The player's attention can be drawn, the player can be impressed with the notice that the notice has been given, and the interest of the game can be improved.

Third Embodiment Next, a third embodiment will be described. By the way, in the case of the reach 1, the fluctuation time command of the first embodiment is one type of the fluctuation time 19.5S whether it hits or misses. In other words, if turned over, the symbols that start to fluctuate at low speed will all be different depending on how many frames are off. That is, the player knows the final stop symbol depending on what is the first symbol at the time of the low-speed fluctuation. In order to prevent this, in the first embodiment, for example, by adjusting the length of the fluctuation pattern b, which is fluctuation at a constant speed, and adjusting the fluctuation time until the reach operation is started, the first symbol is determined. Is used to prevent the final stop symbol from being known. However, even when doing so,
Depending on the length of the variation pattern b, there is a possibility that the player will know the final stop symbol. In order to prevent the player from knowing such a final stop symbol, the variation time may be changed for each symbol and the variation time command may be increased. Although such a method may be used, if the control is performed in the following directions, the number of commands does not need to be increased much.

A command according to the third embodiment will be described as an example of a control method for preventing the player from knowing the final stop symbol without increasing the number of commands.
In the third embodiment, portions different from the first embodiment will be mainly described.

FIG. 53 is an explanatory diagram showing a variable time command and an all symbol stop command according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 53 corresponds to FIG. 18 of the first embodiment. The variation time command shown in FIG. 53 differs from the variation time command shown in FIG. 18 in that there are a plurality of variation time commands having different variation times with respect to one reach. Also, instead of one variable display type corresponding to one variable time command (8002H in FIG. 18), two or three variable display types correspond. In particular,
Each of the variable time commands 8002H to 8014H is a command specifying a plurality of variable display types. For example, if 8004H is taken as an example, in the command of the fluctuation time of 19.5 seconds, the fluctuation display of the hit of the reach 1 and the fluctuation display of the reach 1 out of one frame are included. Then, the display control CPU 101 recognizes the symbol difference specified by the variable time command including a plurality of variable display types based on the stop symbol specified by the received stop symbol command. Thereby, the basic circuit 53
It is possible to cause the display control CPU 101 to recognize a symbol difference that is not specified in detail by the variation time command based on the stop symbol command.

Here, when setting the fluctuation time command, as described above, commands having different fluctuation times are provided for all types of reach frame shift numbers (there are a maximum of 6 pattern difference numbers), and all the commands are provided. A method of finely designating the variation time can be considered. However, in this way, it is possible to prevent the player from noticing during the fluctuation display whether the player will lose or hit a big hit based on the length of the fluctuation time or the symbol at the beginning of the low-speed fluctuation, but the number of commands increases. The problem arises.

On the other hand, as in the third embodiment, 2
If one to three variable display types are collectively specified in one command, the above-described problem can be prevented. However, it is preferable that the variation types to be summarized are shifted by one frame. In other words, it is better to put together those with a small number of shifted frames. By doing so, a single variable time command can specify a plurality of variable display types, so that the number of commands is not increased so much, and the player can be changed based on the length of the variable time or the pattern at which the low-speed fluctuation starts to occur. It is possible to make it hard to notice during the fluctuation display whether the result is a loss or a big hit.

Fourth Embodiment Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. In the above-described first embodiment, a total of five display control commands including a variable time command, a left, middle, and right stop symbol command and an all symbol stop command are used for display control from the start of the variable display to the symbol determination. The example in which the game control board 31 transmits the information to the display control board 80 has been described.

On the other hand, in the fourth embodiment, for the display control from the start of the variable display until the symbol is determined,
An example will be described in which three display control commands, that is, a fluctuation time command, a hit-out command, and an all symbol stop command, are transmitted from the game control board 31 to the display control board 80. here,
The hit-and-miss command is a command that can specify any one of a fixed display symbol combination, a non-probable variable jackpot combination, and a loss combination. As described above, when the hit / miss command is used without using the left, middle, and right stop symbol commands, the display control CPU 101 sets the hit / short command in accordance with the type of the hit or miss indicated by the received display control command. A process for independently determining a fixed symbol is performed. Therefore, the basic circuit 5
The third CPU 56 does not execute the process of determining the stop symbol.

In the fourth embodiment, portions different from the first embodiment will be mainly described. FIG. 54 is a diagram showing various random counters used for game control according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 54 corresponds to FIG. 7 of the first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 54, the difference between FIG. 54 and FIG. 7 is that a random counter (R6) for determining a probability change is not provided with a random counter for determining a lost symbol and a symbol for determining a big hit. Is added. This is determined by the display control CPU 101 for the stop symbol (fixed symbol).
This is because the side does not need to determine a stop symbol. Further, the random counter (R6) for determining the probability change is provided because the function of determining the symbol has been moved to the CPU 101 for display control, so that the basic circuit 53 cannot know the determined symbol, which hinders the game control. Therefore, it is for the basic circuit 53 to determine whether it is a probable change or a non-probable change and recognize the probable or non-probable state.

A random counter (R6) for determining a probability change
Is incremented and updated by 1 every timer interrupt (specifically, every 0.002 seconds), incremented and updated from 0 to 1, and incremented and updated again from 0.

FIG. 55 is a table showing data indicating the relationship between the value of the reach type determination random counter R5 and the selected reach type according to the fourth embodiment in a tabular form for each hit / miss state.

In FIG. 55, the state of the hit is
It is distinguished into two states of a big hit and a miss, and for each state of the big hit and the miss, the type of reach that can be selected and the numerical range of R5 in which each reach is selected are associated with each other. It is shown. The type of reach is selected and determined in a different allocation manner for each hit / miss state, and the type of reach corresponding to the value of R5 extracted at a predetermined timing is determined as the type of reach to be displayed. For example, in the case of a big hit, when the value of R5 is 0 to 1, reach 1 is selected, and the value of R5 is 3 to 7
, Reach 2 is selected, and in cases of 8 to 18, reach 3 is selected. In this way, in the case of a big hit, the type of reach is set to be easily selected in the order of reach 3, reach 2, and reach 1. On the other hand, in the case of a miss, on the contrary, the type of the reach is set to be easily selected in the order of reach 1, reach 2, and reach 3. For this reason,
When the reach 3 is displayed, the player can be entertained by the display, for example, the expectation of the player for the occurrence of the big hit can be increased, and the fun of the variable display can be improved.

FIG. 56 is a flowchart showing the fourth embodiment, which is executed by the basic circuit 53 in order to determine whether the variable display section 9 has a variable hit, whether or not to reach, the type of reach, and whether or not there is a certainty change. It is a flowchart which shows a process. FIG. 56 is a process corresponding to FIG. 12 of the first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 56, CPU 56 performs the processing of S50 to S53 in the same manner as the processing of FIG. 12 described above. Then, when it is determined (determined) that the jackpot is a big hit in S53, if the limiter is not operating (N in S54), the CPU 56 extracts the value of the random number for probabilistic determination (R6) and sets the probability according to the extracted value. It is determined whether or not to change the state (S62). Specifically, the extracted value is “0”
In the case of (1), it is determined that the state is in the probability variation state, and when the extracted value is “1”, it is determined not to be in the probability variation state.
Thereafter, the process proceeds to S63. On the other hand, if the limiter is operating, the CPU 56 proceeds directly to S63. That is,
This is because when the limiter is operating, non-probable change is selected without a lottery.

[0300] When it is determined (determined) that there is a deviation in S53 described above, the CPU 56 extracts the value of the reach determination random number (R4) as in the case of FIG. It is determined whether to reach (S5)
8). If it is determined to reach in S58,
Proceed to S63.

[0301] In S63, as described above, the process proceeds to the case where the reach is caused by a miss or a big hit.
PU56 extracts the reach type determination random number (R5),
Based on the extracted value, the type of reach is determined by the processing described with reference to FIG.

As described above, in the basic circuit 53, it is determined whether to make a big hit, a probable change state, a reach state, and a type of reach.

FIG. 57 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program of a special symbol process according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 57 corresponds to FIG. 13 of the first embodiment. This special symbol process processing is performed in S300 to S30 according to the value of the special symbol process flag.
2a, control is performed so as to execute any of the ten types of processing of S303 to S309. In S300 to S309, the following processing is executed.

The special symbol process shown in FIG. 57 is different from that shown in FIG. 13 in that the above-mentioned stop symbol setting process is not provided.
That is, a probable change determination process (S302a) is provided. This probable change determination process (S302a) is performed according to FIG.
6, including S54 and S62, and extracting random numbers for determining
Based on the extracted value, it is determined whether or not the state is changed to the probability fluctuation state.

In this case, the special symbol determination processing (S3
01) is a process corresponding to S50 to S53 shown in FIG. 56, and the reach operation setting process (S303) is a process corresponding to S58, S63, etc. shown in FIG.

In the case of this embodiment, when a ball is hit in the starting winning opening 14, the basic circuit 53 determines in the above-described special symbol process processing whether to make a big hit or a non-big hit, and whether or not to make a positive change. Is determined, the fluctuation time is determined, etc., and the display control command and IN according to the determination are made.
The T signal is output to the display control board 80. The display control CPU 101 on the display control board 80 controls the display of the variable display unit 9 according to a display control command from the game control board 31. In this case, the stop symbol after the change is determined by the display control CPU 101.

Next, display control commands provided in the fourth embodiment will be described. FIGS. 58 and 59 are explanatory diagrams showing examples of display control commands used in this embodiment. In this example, as in the first embodiment, one display control command has two bytes (CMD1, C
MD2).

FIG. 58 is an explanatory diagram showing a variable time command and an all symbol stop command. Referring to FIG.
The value “80H” of the data CMD1 of the first byte specifies that the data is the data of the variable time command or the all symbol stop command. Then, the data CM of the second byte
According to the value of D2, the display content of the variation type is specified in the case of the variation time command, and the fact that all symbol variation is stopped is specified in the case of the all symbol variation stop command. Data in which the second byte data is “00H” to “04H” is a variable time command, and data in which the second byte data is “05H” is an all symbol stop command.

As the display content specified by the data of the second byte of the fluctuation time command, the fluctuation time of the special symbol and its fluctuation type are specified. For example, the specified fluctuation time is 7.8S, 6.9S, 19.5S, 2
Any of 9.5S is specified.

In the case of the fluctuation time of 7.8S, a normal deviation fluctuation type is designated. In the case of the variation time of 6.9S, the variation type of all symbol variations performed at the time of the probability variation is designated.

[0311] In the case of the fluctuation time of 19.5S, it is designated that the fluctuation type is the reach 1 fluctuation. Fluctuation time 24.5S
In the case of (1), it is specified that the variation type is reach 2. In the case of the fluctuation time 29.5S, it is specified that the type of the fluctuation is reach 3. In this embodiment, since the stop symbol is determined by the display control CPU 101, the frame difference in the reach case is not specified by the CPU 56 of the basic circuit 53. Therefore, the number of variable time commands can be reduced.

As shown in FIG. 18 or 53, commands may be divided according to frame differences in the case of reach. Further, the length of the fluctuation time may be different depending on the frame difference.

Control Data ROM on Display Control Board 80
In 102, display control data for displaying the variation time and variation type designated by each variation time command is stored, and display control is performed according to the variation time and variation type designated by the variation time command.

FIG. 59 is a diagram showing the hit-out command described above in a table format. As shown in FIG. 59, a display control command composed of 2-byte data CMD1 and CMD2 can specify any of the probable big hit, the non-probable big hit, and the outlier. In these designations, the value of the data CMD1 of the first byte is “8B
(H) ", and the value of the data CMD2 of the second byte can take a value in the range of" 00 (H) "to" 02 (H) ".

Next, the transmission mode of the display control command according to the fourth embodiment will be described. Here, the transmission mode of the display control command will be described with reference to the timing chart of the variable display in the case of Reach 1.

FIG. 60 is a timing chart showing an example of a pattern fluctuation pattern in the case where the fluctuation type according to the fourth embodiment is reach (including both the case of a big hit and the case of no big hit). FIG. 60 corresponds to FIG. 26 of the first embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 60, in the case of the fourth embodiment, the display control command is transmitted at the timing associated with the start of the change of the special symbol and the timing associated with the determination of the stop symbol of the special symbol. . At the start of the change, the above-described change pattern command (for example, 8002H of the command in FIG. 58 in the case of FIG. 60) and the hit / miss command are sequentially transmitted. Based on the command transmitted as described above, the display control CPU 101
The variable display control is performed in the same variable pattern as that shown in FIG.

In such a variation display control, at the stage of the start of the variation, the display control CPU 101 has already recognized the variation time and the hit / miss (including the probability change and the non-probability change) based on the command. A process of determining a scheduled stop symbol (fixed symbol) is performed according to the content of the off command. Then, display control is performed so that the scheduled stop symbol can be confirmed and displayed when the recognized fluctuation time has elapsed. Then, the display control CPU 101 receives the all symbol stop command transmitted when the fluctuation time specified by the fluctuation time command has elapsed, and performs control to finalize and display the planned stop symbol in response to the reception.

Next, the display control CP according to the fourth embodiment is described.
The operation of U101 will be described. FIG. 61 is an explanatory diagram showing display random numbers handled by the display control CPU 101 according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 61, in this embodiment, as the display random numbers updated in S703 of FIG. 34, the reach display mode determination random number (RS1), the reach announcement random number (RS2), and the jackpot announcement Random number (R
In addition to S3), a left-sided symbol determining random number (RS4), a middle-sided symbol determining random number (RS5), a right-sided symbol determining random number (RS6), and a probable variable big hit symbol determining random number (RS)
7) and random number for symbol determination of non-probable variable jackpot (RS8)
including.

[0320] The random number for determining a left losing symbol (RS4), the random number for determining a central losing symbol (RS5), and the random number for determining a right losing symbol (RS6) are used when a losing is specified by a losing command. Is used to determine The left-off symbol determining random number (RS4) is used for determining the left symbol at the time of an out-of-position, and is added from 0, and when added to its upper limit of 11, is added again from 0.
The middle symbol determining random number (RS5) is used for determining the middle symbol at the time of the falling, and is added from 0 to its upper limit of 11
When it is added up to 0, it is added again from 0. The right-side-off symbol determining random number (RS6) is used for determining the right-side symbol at the time of the off-side and is added from 0, and when it is added to its upper limit of 11, it is added from 0 again. For each of these RS4 to RS6, the relationship between the extracted value and the symbol is determined, as in the case of R2-1 to R2-3 described above.
A symbol is determined from the extracted value. The update of the counters of RS4 to RS6 may be performed by using an infinite loop as in the case of R2-1 to R2-3.

[0321] The random number (RS6) for determining the probability of winning big hit symbol is
When the probability change jackpot is specified by the hit loss command, the probability change jackpot symbols (“one”, “three”, “five”,
"Seven", "Nine", or "Geta" is used to determine the left, middle, and right symbols that have been stopped together.
Are added and updated to the upper limit of 5, and then added and updated again from 0. In this case, the data of the probability big hit symbol table in which the values of 0 to 5 correspond to “1” to “clogs” on a one-to-one basis are stored in the control data ROM.
The symbol corresponding to the extracted value is determined as the probable jackpot symbol determination using the probability jackpot symbol table stored in step 102.

Non-probable variable big hit symbol determination random number (RS7)
Is a non-probabilistic big hit symbol (“two”, “four”, “six”,
"Eight", "Ten", or "Onigiri" is used to determine the left, middle, and right symbols (stop symbols), and is incremented and updated from 0, and is incremented and updated to its upper limit of 5. After that, it is added and updated again from 0. In this case, the data of the non-probability jackpot symbol table in which the values of 0 to 5 are respectively associated with “two” to “onigiri” on a one-to-one basis are stored in the control data ROM 102. The symbol corresponding to the extracted value is determined as the non-probable variable jackpot symbol determination using the table for the game.

FIG. 62 is a flowchart showing the reach operation setting process (step S750 of the display control process shown in FIG. 39) according to the fourth embodiment.
In the case of the fourth embodiment, in the display control process,
The content of the reach operation setting process is different from that of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 62 is a process corresponding to the process of FIG. 41 of the first embodiment. Here, the same steps in FIG. 62 are denoted by the same step numbers, and description thereof will not be repeated.

The reach operation setting process of FIG. 62 is different from that shown in FIG. 41 in the following points. A symbol determination process (S750a) is added before the reach announcement determination process (S751). In this embodiment, in order to determine a symbol on the display control CPU 101 side, S757 necessary for correcting the symbol in FIG. 41 is used. , S758, S75
3, S754 is not provided.

In the reach operation setting process shown in FIG. 62,
First, a symbol determination process for determining a stop symbol (S75)
0a) is executed. Thereby, a stop symbol is determined at this stage. The details of the symbol determination processing will be described later with reference to FIG. After the symbol determination process (S750a), the process proceeds to the above-described reach announcement determination process (S751).
In the case of the reach operation setting process, since the symbol is not corrected, if it is determined that the above-mentioned loss has occurred in S752, the symbol determined by the symbol determination process (S750a) is left and right temporarily stopped symbol as it is. To be stored.
On the other hand, even if it is determined in S752 that it is not the above-described loss, the symbol determined by the symbol determination process (S750a) is stored as it is as the temporarily stopped symbol in the left middle right.

Next, the details of the symbol determination processing (S750a) in the reach operation setting processing of FIG. 62 will be described in detail. FIG. 63 is a flowchart showing a symbol determination process according to the fourth embodiment.

In the symbol determination processing, first, it is confirmed whether or not a big hit has been specified by the hit / miss command (S7501). If it is a big hit, whether or not the big hit is a probable big hit is confirmed based on the hit / miss command (S7502). In the case of the probability variable jackpot, the above-described probability variable jackpot determination random number (RS7) is extracted, and the probability variable jackpot symbol corresponding to the extracted value is determined using the probability variable jackpot symbol table described above ( S7504). On the other hand, in the case of the non-probable variable jackpot, the above-described non-probable variable jackpot symbol determination random number (RS8) is extracted, and the non-probable variable jackpot corresponding to the extracted value is extracted using the non-probable variable jackpot symbol table described above. A symbol is determined (S7503). If the probable variable jackpot symbol or the non-probable variable jackpot symbol is determined, the symbol determination process ends.

If it is confirmed in S7501 that the hit is not a big hit, it is confirmed whether or not the reach is specified by the variable time command (S7).
505). If it is reach, the above-described left-off symbol determination random number (RS4) is extracted, and the left and right symbols are determined to be the same symbol according to the extracted value (S750).
7). As a result, the left and right symbols are aligned, and the reach is displayed. Then, the above-described center-losing symbol determination random number (RS5) is extracted, and a medium symbol is determined according to the extracted value (S7508), and then the symbol determining process ends. In this case, if the middle left and right symbols are accidentally aligned,
The middle symbol is changed to another symbol. On the other hand, the aforementioned S75
05, it is confirmed that the reach is not reached, the above-mentioned left-off symbol determining random number (RS4), the middle-off symbol determining random number (RS5), and the right-off symbol determining random number (RS).
6) are extracted, and the left, middle, and right symbols are determined according to the respective extracted values (S7506). In this case, if the left and right middle symbols are accidentally aligned, the middle symbol is changed to another symbol. Thereafter, the symbol determination processing ends.

As described above, in the case of the fourth embodiment, the display control CPU 101 determines a stop symbol (fixed symbol) based on the variable time command and the hit / miss command.

In the case of the fourth embodiment, the display control command does not specify the frame difference from the reach symbol at the time of the disconnection. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the reach announcement lottery condition is determined using the frame difference. Cannot be set. For this reason, in the case of the fourth embodiment, for example, reach 1, reach 3,
Alternatively, it is assumed that the reach announcement lottery condition is satisfied when any of the change time commands is received. Further, in the case of the fourth embodiment, as in the case of the first embodiment, whether or not to reach is specified by the variable time command. Therefore, in S751c of the reach announcement determination process described above, the variable time command Is determined based on the reach.

Also, in the case of the fourth embodiment, since the display control command does not specify the frame difference from the reach symbol at the time of the miss, the big hit announcement lottery condition is determined by using the frame difference as in the first embodiment. Cannot be set. Therefore, in the case of the fourth embodiment, it is assumed that the jackpot announcement lottery condition is satisfied, for example, when a variable time command of either Reach 1 or Reach 3 is received. Also,
In the case of the fourth embodiment, since it is not possible to specify whether or not a big hit has occurred by the variable time command, in S762c of the above-mentioned big hit notice determination processing, it is confirmed whether to make a big hit or a miss based on the hit / miss command. Is done.

Also, in the case of the fourth embodiment, the first
Similar to the case of the embodiment, the reach announcement random number is always extracted when the fluctuation display is performed without performing the determination of the reach announcement lottery condition as described above in S751a, and the reach announcement is performed based on the value. It is also possible to determine whether the jackpot notice lottery conditions are satisfied as in the above-described step S762a, and always extract the jackpot notice random number when the variable display is performed, without changing the value. It may be determined whether or not to give a jackpot notice based on.

According to the above-described fourth embodiment, the same effects as those of the above-described first embodiment can be obtained, and in addition, the display transmitted from the game control board 31 from the start to the end of the change. The number of control commands can be smaller (three) than in the first embodiment (five). Thereby, on the side of the basic circuit 53, processing for outputting a command can be reduced.
The processing load on display control in the third CPU 56 can be reduced. Further, since the determination of the stop symbol is performed on the display control CPU 101 side, the basic circuit 53
On the side, the processing for determining the stop symbol performed by the display control CPU 101 need not be performed, so that the processing load on the display control in the CPU 56 of the basic circuit 53 can be reduced.

Fifth Embodiment Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. In the above-described fourth embodiment, three display control commands of a variable time command, a hit-out command, and an all symbol stop command are displayed from the game control board 31 for display control from the start of the variable display to the determination of the symbol. The example of transmitting to the control board 80 has been described. On the other hand, in the fifth embodiment, for the display control from the start of the variable display to the symbol determination, two display control commands, a variable time command and a hit / miss command, are transmitted from the game control board 31 to the display control board 80. Will be described. The fifth embodiment is different from the fourth embodiment in that the display control CPU 101 manages the symbol stop timing without using the all symbol stop command. This fifth embodiment is the same as the fourth embodiment except for some controls. Therefore, in the fifth embodiment, differences from the fourth embodiment will be mainly described.

In the case of the fifth embodiment, of the variable time commands shown in FIG. 58, all symbol stop commands are not used. Next, a transmission mode of a display control command according to the fifth embodiment will be described. Here, the transmission mode of the display control command will be described with reference to the timing chart of the variable display in the case of Reach 1.

FIG. 64 is a timing chart showing an example of a pattern fluctuation pattern when the fluctuation type according to the fifth embodiment is reach (including both the case of a big hit and the case of no big hit). FIG. 64 corresponds to FIG. 60 of the fourth embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 64, in the case of the fifth embodiment, the display control command is transmitted at the timing associated with the start of the change of the special symbol, but is not transmitted at the timing associated with the determination of the stop symbol. . At the start of the change,
The aforementioned variable time command (for example, 8002H of the command in FIG. 58 in the case of FIG. 64) and the hit / miss command are sequentially transmitted. Then, based on the transmitted command, the display control CPU 101 performs the variable display control in the same variation pattern as shown in FIG. 64 and shown in FIG. Then, the symbol confirming display timing is managed by the display control CPU 101 using a timer, and when the variation time specified by the variation time command elapses, all the symbols are confirmed and displayed at that time.

The fifth embodiment is different from the fourth embodiment mainly in the contents of the all symbol stop waiting process in the display control process process. FIG. 65 is a flowchart showing the all symbol stop waiting process (S840) according to the fifth embodiment. FIG. 65 corresponds to the process in FIG. 48 of the first embodiment.

In the all symbol stop waiting process, the display control C
The PU 101 checks whether the fluctuation time specified by the fluctuation time command has ended (S841a). Specifically, the display control CPU 101 sets the fluctuation time designated by the fluctuation time command in S756 and S760 in the monitoring timer shown in FIG. 62, and in S841a, determines whether or not the timer has timed out. Confirm.

If it is confirmed in S841a that the variation time specified by the variation time command has ended, control is performed to stop the symbol with the stored temporary stop symbol and display the final symbol (step S841a). S842).
Then, a command non-reception timer is started to monitor the time until the next display control command is received (S843). Then, after performing the process of S843,
The display control CPU 101 sets the value of the display control process flag to a value corresponding to the big hit display process (S870) (S844). Thereafter, the all symbol stop waiting process ends.

On the other hand, until it is confirmed in S841a that the fluctuating time specified by the fluctuating time command has ended, the wait for all symbols stop processing is terminated from S841a, and the fluctuating time specified by the fluctuating time command ends. Until the step S842, the progress of the steps after S842 is waited.

According to the fifth embodiment described above, the same effects as those of the above-described fourth embodiment can be obtained. In addition, from the start of the change to the end of the fixed symbol, the game control board 31 The number of display control commands to send
The number can be reduced (two) compared to the case of the fourth embodiment (three). Thereby, on the side of the basic circuit 53, processing for outputting a command can be reduced.
The processing load on display control in the CPU 56 of the basic circuit 53 can be reduced. Furthermore, since the control of the stop symbol determination timing is performed on the display control CPU 101 side, the basic circuit 53 does not need to perform the process for managing the stop symbol determination timing and outputting the all symbol stop command. Because it is good, CPU of basic circuit 53
The processing load related to the display control in 56 can be reduced.

[0343] Modifications, feature points, and the like in the embodiment described above are listed below. (1) In the above-described first embodiment, an example has been described in which an all symbol stop command is transmitted when a symbol is determined. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the case of transmitting the fluctuation time command and the stop symbol command at the start of the fluctuation as in the first embodiment, a transmission mode in which the all symbol stop command is not transmitted as in the fifth embodiment is adopted. You may. In this case, as in the case of the fifth embodiment, the display control CPU 101 manages the fluctuation time using a timer such as a monitoring timer. By doing so, the same effect as the effect obtained by the fifth embodiment can be obtained.

(2) In the above-described second embodiment, as an example of performing the jackpot notice and the reach notice using the background image, an example of performing the jackpot notice and the reach notice by changing the color of the background image will be described. Indicated.
However, the present invention is not limited to this, and such a notice may be given by switching the type of the background image. For example, the notice may be given by temporarily displaying another image such as a flash while the display of “Dojo” is continued. When the type of the background image is notified by switching, the switching mode is set so that the type of each reach announcement and the type of each big hit announcement can be identified in the same manner as in the case of the advance notice by the color of the background image. Make it different. For such a notice, a background image for the notice (for example, a background image for the jackpot notice 1, a background image for the jackpot notice 2, a background image for the reach notice 1, and a background image for the reach notice 2) is provided. In the above, the preview image may be displayed by switching the background image to the preview background image.

(3) In the above-described first to fifth embodiments, a command capable of specifying a change time and a change type such as reach is used as the change time command. However, the present invention is not limited to this. May simply use a command that specifies only the fluctuation time.

(4) In the above-described first to fifth embodiments, a variation start command for instructing only the start of variation to the display control board 80 may be added as the display control command. The change start command is output at the start time of the change of the symbol.

(5) In the above-described first to fifth embodiments, an example has been described in which a notice such as a reach notice and a big hit notice is given by using either a character or a background image. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The notice may be made using both of the background images.

(6) In the above-described first to fifth embodiments, an example has been described in which a notice such as a reach notice and a big hit notice is given by using either a character or a background image. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The notice may be made using both of the background images.

(7) In the first to fifth embodiments described above, an example in which a notice such as a reach notice and a big hit notice is given using a character and a background image has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. (Special) change may be performed. Special fluctuations in this case include reverse rotation of the symbol when the symbol is displayed in rotation (for example, reverse rotation with respect to normal forward rotation), switching of the scroll direction of the symbol (for example, switching from forward scroll to reverse scroll). ), And various kinds of fluctuations such as a slip display (a symbol is displayed in such a manner that the symbol slips past a position where it normally stops).

(8) In the above-described embodiment,
The example in which the variable display device 8 is configured by a CRT has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the variable display device 8 may be, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an FED (Field Emission D).
It may be constituted by other image display devices such as isplay), PDP (Plasma Display Pamel), dot matrix, LED, electroluminescence, fluorescent display tube and the like. In addition, the variable display device 8 is not limited to the image display device as described above, and is a rotating drum type, a so-called belt type in which a display state changes when a belt with a plurality of symbols is circulated, a leaf type, It may be constituted by a so-called disk type or other mechanical type display device in which the display state changes by rotating a rotating disk provided with a plurality of symbols.
When such a mechanical display device is used as a variable display device, the reach announcement and the jackpot announcement may be performed by the special (special) fluctuation of the special symbol as described above.

(9) In this embodiment,
The variable display unit 9 of the variable display device 8 corresponds to a variable display device capable of updating and displaying a plurality of types of identification information (symbols).
The update display in this case is not limited to the scroll display of symbols on the image type display device as described above, the switching display of symbols, and the like, but the rotation display on the drum (the symbols drawn on the drum) of the mechanical display device described above. (Variable display) and other types of variable display (variable display). In other words, the update display means a variable display of any display format as long as certain identification information is updated to another identification information.

(10) In the first to fifth embodiments described above, the display control CPU 101 does not involve the basic circuit 53 when performing the reach announcement and the jackpot announcement.
An example in which only the side independently decides whether to perform the reach announcement and the jackpot announcement, respectively. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the basic circuit 53 may be involved in a part of the determination of such a notice. More specifically, a part of the above-mentioned notices (for example, big hit notice 1 and reach notice 1) is determined by the basic circuit 53 side, and the remaining notices (for example, big hit notice 2 and reach notice 2) are used for display control. CP
This is performed by the U101 side. In this case, two types of variable display commands having the same content are divided into two types: a command for advance notice (a command transmitted when a decision is made to give a notice) and a command for non-advancement (a command transmitted when a decision is made not to give a notice) If a notice command is received, the display control CP
When the U101 determines that there is a notice, the notice is displayed, and when a command for non-notice is received, the display control CPU 1
The 01 side may determine that there is no notice. That is, when there are a plurality of types of advance notices,
The PU 56 and the display control CPU 101 may share and make a preliminary decision. Thus, the basic circuit 5
3 and the display control CPU 101, the basic circuit 53 side can recognize the presence or absence of the advance notice for some of the advance notices. , And / or the sound of the lamp can be used for the advance notice. In that case, you will be notified by audio, one or both lights,
This can be executed in addition to the notice display by the variable display unit 9.

(11) In the first embodiment described above, in 751c of FIG. 42, the judgment as to whether or not to execute the reach announcement is made based on the variable time command. An example is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this.
The determination may be made based on the middle and right stop symbol commands. With this configuration, it is determined whether or not to perform the reach announcement in accordance with the stop symbol command, which is a command capable of specifying items closely related to the variable display content of the symbol called the stop symbol. Reach announcements can be made. In the above-described first embodiment, an example is shown in 762c of FIG. 44 in which the determination as to whether or not to execute the jackpot notice is made based on the variable time command. Was. However, such a determination may be made based on left, middle, and right stop symbol commands. With this configuration, it is determined whether or not to perform the jackpot notice in accordance with the stop symbol command, which is a command that can specify items closely related to the variable display content of the symbol, the stop symbol. You can give a jackpot notice. These determinations may be made with reference to both the variable time command and the left, middle, and right stop symbol commands.

(12) In the fourth embodiment described above, in 751c of FIG. 42, the determination as to whether or not to execute the reach announcement is made based on the variable time command. An example is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and such a determination may be made based on a hit / miss command. In that case, the command indicating the disconnection is divided into a disconnection command with a reach and a disconnection command without a reach, and by confirming the type of the command, it is determined whether the command is reach or not reach. What should I do? According to this configuration, whether or not to perform the reach announcement is determined according to the hit-out command which is a command capable of specifying a matter closely related to the variable display content of the hit-out symbol, so that it is determined according to the variable display content. Reach announcements can be made. In the fourth embodiment described above, an example is shown in 762c of FIG. 44 in which the determination as to whether or not to execute the jackpot notice is made based on the hit / loss command. Was. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and such a determination may be made based on a fluctuation time command. In such a case, each command indicating reach in the variable time command is divided into a command at the time of determining a jackpot and a command at the time of determining a loss, and by confirming the type of the command, it is determined whether or not the command is a jackpot. The determination may be made. According to this configuration, it is determined whether or not to display the big hit notice in accordance with the fluctuating time command which is a command capable of specifying matters closely related to the variable display content of the symbol, ie, the fluctuating time of the symbol. A big hit notice can be given according to the content. In addition, these determinations are based on the fluctuating time command and left, middle,
It may be performed by referring to both of the right stop symbol commands. Note that the above modified example is similarly applied to the fifth embodiment.

(13) In the above-described embodiment, the reach notice and the big hit notice are shown as the notices. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other notices such as a notice of a predetermined small hit other than the big hit, a notice of a predetermined middle hit, a certain change reach notice, a certain change big hit notice, and the like may be included.

(14) In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the left and right symbols are shaken and fluctuated until the middle symbol is determined, and the symbol is waited without being determined. It is not limited to the case where the symbol moved up and down, the symbol may be moved left and right, the symbol may be rotated counterclockwise or counterclockwise, and the symbol may be enlarged or reduced, The display may be made to stand by in another display mode, such as by expanding or contracting the design.
In other words, any display control that displays the symbol in a mode different from that at the time of finalization in a mode in which the symbol is not updated may be used.

(15) In the first embodiment described above, in S757, S758, S753, and S754 of FIG. 41, the type of fluctuation such as the out-of-normal state and reach specified by the received fluctuation time command, and the received left, middle, and When the symbol specified by the right stop symbol command is inconsistent, the temporary stop symbol by the stop symbol command is corrected by giving priority to the variable time command over the stop symbol command. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the processing for such correction may not be performed. By doing so, it is not necessary to perform the correction processing of the command comparison target and the symbol, so that the control processing can be simplified.

(16) Although the above-described second and third embodiments have been described as being applied to the first embodiment,
The second and third embodiments are also applicable to the fourth and fifth embodiments, and are also applicable to a modification of the first embodiment that does not use the all symbol stop command.

(17) In the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which the display control CPU 101 uses a random number to determine a variation mode (variation pattern shown in FIG. 26 and the like) when reach display is performed. Was. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the basic circuit 53 may also determine a variation mode when performing reach display. In that case,
The fluctuation pattern of the reach is specified by the fluctuation time command, and the display control CP is determined based on the fluctuation time command.
What is necessary is just to make the U101 side recognize the fluctuation pattern at the time of the reach display. By doing so, the display control CPU
On the 101 side, there is no need for a random counter, table data, and the like for determining the fluctuation pattern of the reach.

(18) In the above-described embodiment, the probability variation state has been described as an example of the special game state. However, the present invention is not limited to this. These may be used alone or in combination. A game state in which time reduction control is performed to shorten the fluctuation time from the start of the change of the normal symbol until the display result is derived and displayed, a game state, a normal symbol hit probability improving control for improving the probability of hitting the normal symbol is performed. Game state, in which a fluctuation time reduction control for shortening the fluctuation time from the start of the change of the special symbol until the display result is derived and displayed is performed, and a pair of left and right movable provided in the starting winning opening 14. A game state in which the number of times of opening of the piece (electric tulip) is increased,
A game state in which opening time extension control for extending the opening time of the movable piece is performed.

(19) The execution timing of the reach announcement and the execution timing of the big hit announcement shown in the above-described embodiment are merely examples, and are not limited to those described above. That is, the execution timing of the reach announcement need only be performed before reaching the reach, and the execution timing of the jackpot announcement need only be performed before the hit occurs.

(20) In the above-described embodiment, the display control means is included in the display control means by the reach announcement determination processing shown in FIG. 42, the jackpot announcement determination processing shown in FIG. 44, and the like. An advance notice (for example, a reach notice) for giving a notice that the display state of the variable display device will be in a predetermined display mode (for example, a reach display mode, a big hit display mode) according to a predetermined command among the control commands. , An announcement execution determining means for deciding whether or not to execute a jackpot announcement. The notice execution determining means includes lottery means (S751c in FIG. 42 and S762c in FIG. 44) for determining whether or not to perform the notice display by a predetermined lottery. Further, the notice display is
A plurality of types are provided, and the lottery means selectively determines the type of the notice display in a predetermined lottery (S751d and S751e in FIG. 42, S762d in FIG. 44,
S762e). Then, such a lottery means randomly determines a lottery result for performing the notice display (see FIGS. 35 and 36). Further, such a lottery means randomly determines a lottery result of the type of the notice display (see FIGS. 35 and 36). The lottery is performed by extracting a value of a predetermined numerical value updating means (random counter) and using the extraction, based on a relationship between a predetermined extracted value and a lottery result.

(21) In this embodiment, the display control means is included in the display control means by the reach announcement determination processing shown in FIG. 42, the jackpot announcement determination processing shown in FIG. 44, and the like. The display state of the variable display device is changed to a predetermined display mode (for example, a reach display mode,
A notice execution determining means for deciding whether or not to give a notice display (for example, a reach notice, a big hit notice) for giving a notice of a big hit display mode is formed. Here, according to a predetermined command among the received display control commands, the display state of the variable display device is changed to a predetermined display mode (for example, a reach display mode, a big hit display mode).
The predetermined command used to determine whether or not to give a notice display (for example, a reach notice or a big hit notice) that gives notice of the change in the identification information (symbol) is a command that can specify the change time of the identification information (symbol). Time command) or a command (left, middle, right stop symbol command or out-of-hit command) capable of specifying the determination mode of the identification information, or both commands. You may. In addition, the predetermined command may be a command other than a command capable of specifying a variation time of the identification information and a command capable of specifying a determination mode of the identification information.

(22) In this embodiment, at least a variation time command (variable time command) capable of specifying the variation time of the identification information and a determination mode command (left, A display control command (display control command) for controlling the display of the variable display device, including a middle and right stop symbol command or a hit-and-miss command, can be sent to the display control means. The determination mode command in this case may include a command including only two types, a hit and a miss. The confirmation mode command is, for example,
Whether or not it is a big hit symbol that generates a special game state such as a non-probable change or a loss, or a period setting of the special play state (for example, the variable time reduction control of the variable display unit is performed by the number of 150 change times). The command may also be a command that indicates a big hit symbol, a time setting such as a big hit symbol in which the variable time reduction control of the variable display unit is performed by the number of times of change of 50 times. In addition, the confirmation mode command may be a command that can specify a symbol to be displayed on the big hit symbol.

(23) The embodiments disclosed this time are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the terms of the claims, rather than the description above, and is intended to include any modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the terms of the claims.

[0366]

Specific Examples of Means for Solving the Problems (1) A variable display device (variable display) capable of updating and displaying (variable display) a plurality of types of identification information (symbols) by the pachinko gaming machine 1 shown in FIG. A gaming machine including the variable display device 8, and more specifically, the variable display unit 9) is configured. The game control board 31 shown in FIG. 4 and the like constitutes game control means for controlling the progress of the game. The display control board 80 shown in FIG. 4 constitutes display control means for performing display control of the variable display device. 25 to 29, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 64 and the like, the game control means includes at least a command (variable time command) capable of specifying the change time of the identification information and a command (left, middle, right stop) capable of specifying the determination mode of the identification information. A display control command (display control command) for controlling the display of the variable display device, including a symbol command or a hit-and-miss command, can be sent to the display control means. According to the reach announcement determination process shown in FIG. 42, the jackpot announcement determination process shown in FIG. 44, etc., in accordance with a predetermined command included in the display control means and received among the display control commands, Notice execution for deciding whether or not to give a notice display (for example, a reach notice, a big hit notice) for giving notice that the display state of the variable display device will be a predetermined display form (for example, a reach display form, a big hit display form). Determining means is configured.

(2) A variable display device (variable display device 8; more specifically, a variable display device capable of updating and displaying (variable display) a plurality of types of identification information (symbols) by the pachinko gaming machine 1 shown in FIG. Has a variable display section 9), and is advantageous for the player on condition that the display result of the variable display device is a predetermined specific display mode (combination of big hit symbols) (big hit state). A gaming machine that can be controlled in the above manner is configured. By the game control board 31 shown in FIG.
Game control means for controlling the progress of the game is configured.
The display control board 80 shown in FIG. 4 constitutes display control means for performing display control of the variable display device. As shown in FIG. 25 to FIG. 29, FIG. 60, FIG. 64, etc., the game control means can specify at least a command (variable time command) capable of specifying a change time of the identification information and a determination mode of the identification information. And a display control command (display control command) for controlling the display of the variable display device, including a simple command (left, middle, right stop symbol command or hit-and-miss command). Reach notice decision processing shown in FIG. 42, FIG.
4, the display state of the variable display device is changed to a predetermined display mode according to a predetermined command among the received display control commands, which is included in the display control means by the jackpot notice determination processing and the like shown in FIG. (For example, a reach display mode, a big hit display mode) is provided as a preview execution determining means for determining whether or not to perform a preview display (for example, a reach notification, a big hit preview) to be notified.

(3) As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the advance notice display is performed by the image character on the display screen.

(4) As shown in FIG. 52, the advance notice display is performed by a background image which is a portion excluding the identification information.

(5) As shown in FIG. 36, the notice execution determining means, when deciding the notice display, sets a plurality of types of the display modes which are different from each other in the easiness of the predetermined display mode after the notice display. Of the notice modes to be displayed is selected from among the notice modes described above.

(6) As shown in FIGS. 16 and 36, the predetermined mode includes a reach display mode.

(7) As shown in FIGS. 16, 17, and 36, the predetermined display mode includes a predetermined hit display mode (big hit display mode).

(8) As shown in FIGS. 25 to 29 and the like, the display control means displays the identification information in a mode different from that at the time of finalization (a swing operation) in a mode in which the identification information is not updated. It is possible to control.

(9) As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, between the game control means and the display control means, information can be transmitted in only one direction from the game control means to the display control means. It is.

(10) An irreversible output included in the game control means and for transmitting information only in one direction from the game control means to the display control means by the output buffer circuit 63 shown in FIG. Means are configured.

(11) The input buffer circuit 105 (in particular, the input buffer circuit 105a) shown in FIG.
Irreversible input means included in the display control means for transmitting information only in one direction from the game control means to the display control means is configured.

[0377]

The effect of the concrete example of the means for solving the problems.
With regard to, the following effects can be obtained. In the display control means, the notice execution determination means notifies the user that the display state of the variable display device is in a predetermined display mode in accordance with a predetermined command among the display control commands received from the game control means. It is determined whether or not to give an advance notice. For this reason, the game control means does not need to perform the control on the notice display performed by the display control means, so that the processing load on the display control in the game control means can be further reduced. As a result, it is possible to provide a gaming machine capable of increasing the time required for the game control means to perform the original game control.

According to the second aspect, the following effects can be obtained. In the display control means, the notice execution determination means notifies the user that the display state of the variable display device is in a predetermined display mode in accordance with a predetermined command among the display control commands received from the game control means. It is determined whether or not to give an advance notice. For this reason, the game control means does not need to perform the control related to the advance display performed by the display control means, so that the player is provided on the condition that the display result of the variable display device becomes a predetermined specific display mode. In a gaming machine which can be controlled in a state advantageous to the game, the processing load on display control in the game control means can be further reduced. As a result, it is possible to provide a gaming machine capable of increasing the time required for the game control means to perform the original game control.

Regarding claim 3, in addition to the effect according to claim 1 or 2, the following effect can be obtained. Since the preview display is performed by the character, the display is more interesting by linking the preview with the character, and the interest of the game can be improved. In addition, by performing a notice display using a character peculiar to the effect, it is possible to draw the player's attention, and it is possible to impressively notify the player that the notice is being given.

Regarding claim 4, in addition to the effect according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the following effect can be obtained. Because the notice display is performed by the background image that is the part excluding the identification information, the notice display using the background image different from the identification information can draw the player's attention and the notice is given Can be impressively notified to the player, and the interest in the game can be improved. In addition to the effect according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the following effect is obtained. be able to. When deciding the notice display, the notice form to be displayed is selected from a plurality of notice forms which are different from each other in the likelihood of being changed to the predetermined display form after the notice display. Is displayed, it is possible to enhance the sense of expectation of the player. For example, by providing a plurality of notice modes, it is possible to improve the fun of the display by the notice display, and to enhance the interest of the game. be able to.

With respect to claim 6, in addition to the effect according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the following effect can be obtained. Since the notice display includes a reach notice display for giving notice that the display state of the variable display device is in the reach display mode, it is possible to increase a player's expectation of the reach display by the notice, thereby improving the interest of the game. be able to.

According to claim 7, in addition to the effect according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the following effect can be obtained. Since the display state of the variable display device includes a hit notice display for giving a notice that the display state will be a predetermined hit display mode such as a big hit display mode, for example, it is possible to enhance a player's expectation of hit display with the advance notice, The interest of the game can be improved.

With regard to the eighth aspect, the following effect can be obtained in addition to the effect according to any one of the first to seventh aspects. Since it is possible to perform display control for displaying the identification information in a mode different from that when the identification information is determined by not updating the identification information, when displaying the identification information that is not determined, the identification information is not updated. By displaying the identification information in a mode different from that at the time of determination, the player can easily recognize that the identification information has not been determined.

Regarding claim 9, in addition to the effect according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the following effect can be obtained. Between the game control means and the display control means,
Since information can be transmitted in only one direction from the game control means to the display control means, it is possible to prevent an incorrect signal from being input to the game control means from the display control board means and performing an illegal control operation. .

With respect to the tenth aspect, the following effect can be obtained in addition to the effect of any one of the first to ninth aspects. Since the game control means includes irreversible output means for transmitting information only in one direction from the game control means to the display control means, communication between the game control means and the display control means is performed by the function of the irreversible output means. Using the portion, it is possible to prevent the game control means itself from performing an illegal control operation by inputting an incorrect signal to the game control means.

With respect to claim 11, claims 1 to 10
In addition to the effects of any of the above, the following effects can be obtained. Since the display control means includes irreversible input means for transmitting information only in one direction from the game control means to the display control means, the communication between the game control means and the display control means is performed by the function of the irreversible input means. By using this, it is possible to prevent the display control means from performing an illegal control operation by inputting an invalid signal to the game control means.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine viewed from the front.

FIG. 2 is an overall rear view showing the internal structure of the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the gaming board of the pachinko gaming machine viewed from the rear.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a circuit configuration in the game control board.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a circuit configuration in a display control board together with a CRT as an example of realizing a variable display section and an output buffer circuit of a game control board.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a voice control command signal transmission portion and a voice control board in the game control board.

FIG. 7 is a view showing various random counters used for controlling a pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing, in a table form, data indicating a relationship between a value of a random counter R5 for determining a reach type and a type of reach to be selected for each hit / miss state;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing main processing and interrupt processing executed by the basic circuit.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an outline for performing a jackpot control of the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a process executed by a basic circuit to determine that a hit ball has won a start winning opening.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating a process for determining a stop symbol of variable display of the variable display unit.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program of special symbol process processing.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a left and right middle symbol.

FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a background screen (image) displayed as a background of a special symbol on the variable display unit.

FIG. 16 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a character displayed on the variable display unit.

FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a character displayed on the variable display unit.

FIG. 18 shows a fluctuation time command capable of specifying a fluctuation display time and a fluctuation pattern in the fluctuation display of a special symbol;
It is an explanatory view showing an all symbol stop command which instructs stop (fixed display) of all symbols.

FIG. 19 is a diagram showing, in a table form, a left stop symbol command as a display control command for instructing a stop symbol relating to the left symbol.

FIG. 20 is a diagram showing, in a table form, a middle stop symbol command as a display control command for designating a stop symbol relating to a middle symbol.

FIG. 21 is a diagram showing, in a table form, a right stop symbol command as a display control command for designating a stop symbol relating to a right symbol.

FIG. 22 is an explanatory diagram showing a display control command transmitted from the game control board to the display control board.

FIG. 23 is a timing chart showing an example of a transmission timing of a display control command given from the game control board to the display control board.

FIG. 24 is an explanatory diagram showing display patterns constituting each variation pattern.

FIG. 25 is a timing chart showing an example of a pattern fluctuation pattern at the time of out of reach.

FIG. 26: Reach 1 as fluctuation time from the game control board
13 is a timing chart showing an example of a fluctuation pattern displayed when 19.5 seconds of the notification is notified.

FIG. 27: Reach 2 as fluctuation time from the game control board
13 is a timing chart showing an example of a variation pattern displayed when 24.5 seconds of the notification is notified.

FIG. 28: Reach 3 as variation time from the game control board
9 is a timing chart showing an example of a fluctuation pattern displayed when 29.5 seconds are notified.

FIG. 29: Reach 3 as fluctuation time from the game control board
9 is a timing chart showing an example of a fluctuation pattern displayed when 29.5 seconds are notified.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing an all symbol change start process in the special symbol process process.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing an all symbol stop waiting process in the special symbol process process.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing a display control data setting process.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing display control data output processing.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing main processing of a display control CPU.

FIG. 35 is an explanatory diagram showing display random numbers handled by the display control CPU;

FIG. 36 shows the relationship between the extracted reach display mode determining random numbers and the reach display mode, the relationship between the extracted reach prediction random numbers and the reach preview, and the relationship between the extracted jackpot prediction random numbers and the jackpot preview. FIG.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing a timer interrupt process.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing an IRQ2 interrupt process of the display control CPU.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing a display control process in a timer interrupt process.

FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing a display control command reception waiting process.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing a reach operation setting process.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing a reach announcement determination process.

FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing a reach display mode determination process.

FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing a jackpot notice determination process.

FIG. 45 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a process table.

FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing an all symbol change start process.

FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing symbol change processing.

FIG. 48 is a flowchart showing an all symbol stop waiting process.

FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing a jackpot display process.

FIG. 50 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which one symbol change is divided into a plurality of sections.

FIG. 51 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a relationship between a display control command and a variation mode.

FIG. 52 is a timing chart showing an example of a symbol variation pattern when the variation type is reach according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 53 shows a variable time command according to the third embodiment;
It is an explanatory view showing an all symbol stop command.

FIG. 54 is a view illustrating various random counters used for game control according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 55 is a diagram showing, in a tabular form, data indicating a relationship between a value of a reach type determination random counter R5 and a selected reach type according to the fourth embodiment for each hit / miss state;

FIG. 56: According to the fourth embodiment, a hit at the time of variable display of the variable display section 9, presence / absence of reach, type of reach,
9 is a flowchart showing a process executed by a basic circuit 53 to determine whether or not there is a probability change.

FIG. 57 is a flowchart showing a subroutine program of special symbol process processing according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 58 is an explanatory diagram showing a variable time command and an all symbol stop command.

FIG. 59 is a diagram showing a hit / miss command in a table format.

FIG. 60 is a timing chart showing an example of a symbol variation pattern when the variation type is reach according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 61 is an explanatory diagram showing display random numbers handled by a display control CPU according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 62 is a flowchart showing a reach operation setting process according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 63 is a flowchart showing a symbol determination process according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 64 is a timing chart showing an example of a symbol variation pattern when the variation type is reach according to the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 65 is a flowchart showing an all symbol stop waiting process (S840) according to the fifth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 is a pachinko gaming machine (game machine), 8 is a variable display device (variable display device), 9 is a variable display unit (variable display device), 31
Is a game control board (game control means), 53 is a basic circuit (game control means), 56 is a CPU (game control means), 80 is a display control board (display control means), 101 is a display control C
PU (display control means), 63 is an output buffer circuit (irreversible output means), 105 is an input buffer circuit (irreversible input means), and 105a is an input buffer circuit (irreversible input means).

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A game machine including a variable display device capable of updating and displaying a plurality of types of identification information, a game control means for controlling a progress of a game, and a display control means for performing display control of the variable display device. Display control for performing display control of the variable display device including at least a command capable of specifying a variation time of the identification information and a command capable of specifying a determination mode of the identification information. A command can be sent to the display control means, and the display control means changes a display state of the variable display device to a predetermined display mode according to a predetermined command among the received display control commands. A game machine including a notice execution determining means for deciding whether or not to give a notice display for giving notice. 2. A variable display device capable of updating and displaying a plurality of types of identification information, which is advantageous to a player on the condition that a display result of the variable display device has a predetermined specific display mode. A gaming machine that can be controlled to a state, comprising: a game control unit that controls a progress of a game; and a display control unit that performs a display control of the variable display device, wherein the game control unit includes at least the identification information. A display control command for performing a display control of the variable display device, which includes a command capable of specifying a variation time and a command capable of specifying a determination mode of the identification information, can be transmitted to the display control means; Means for, in response to a predetermined command among the received display control commands, a notice table for giving notice that the display state of the variable display device will be in a predetermined display mode. Characterized in that it comprises a announcement execution determining means for determining whether or not to perform, the gaming machine. 3. The notice display according to claim 1, wherein the notice display is performed by an image character on a display screen.
Or the gaming machine according to 2. 4. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the notice display is performed by a background image that is a portion excluding the identification information. 5. The notice execution determining means, when determining the notice display, displays a notice from among a plurality of kinds of notice modes which are different from each other in the likelihood of the predetermined display form after the notice display. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein an aspect is selected. 6. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined display mode includes a reach display mode. 7. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined display mode includes a predetermined hit display mode. 8. The display control device according to claim 1, wherein the display control means is capable of performing display control for displaying the identification information in a mode different from that at the time of finalization by not updating the identification information. A gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7. 9. Between the game control means and the display control means, information can be transmitted in only one direction from the game control means to the display control means,
A gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8. 10. The game control device according to claim 1, wherein said game control means includes irreversible output means for transmitting information only in one direction from said game control means to said display control means. A gaming machine according to any of the above. 11. The display control means according to claim 1, wherein said display control means includes irreversible input means for transmitting information only in one direction from said game control means to said display control means. The gaming machine described in Crab.